For the last three years, according to ManpowerGroup, the hardest segment of the workforce for employers to staff with skilled talent hasn’t been registered nurses or engineers or even web developers. It’s been the skilled trades – the welders, electricians, machinists, etc. that are so prevalent in manufacturing and construction. Here are 5 things facing us as we move forward in identifying the skills gap problem as we know it.
1. In 2012, 53 percent of skilled-trade workers in the U.S. were 45 years and older.
2. According to EMSI 18.6 percent were between the ages of 55 and 64.
3. Projected growth in the skilled trades job market – 14.3% from ‘2010-2020’
4. Need for almost 20.5 million new workers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
5. Over 50% of existing workforce set to retire in next 10 years
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