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WORKFORCE CHALLENGES IN AMERICA
THE CHANGING WORKFORCE
In the early 1900s, America represented an agrarian society. Basic instruction was offered in reading, writing, and arithmetic, primarily to White children. There were some private, church-sponsored colleges training clergy and politicians, but most available jobs were usually agricultural or basic manufacturing. Throughout the twentieth century there was continuous expansion of educational opportunities to include junior and senior high schools, community colleges, teachers colleges, and research universities. Students were completing baccalaureate degrees as a measure of success, and jobs were developing in middle management. Today we are faced with the Information Age. Jobs today are rapidly changing, creating a requirement for workers who can do the job today while learning a new job for tomorrow. There are increased learning opportunities today through the use of technology. Education and training is now available online, delivered to anyone, on demand. Workers now have access to continuous and lifelong development in their jobs. In the popular book The World is Flat, Friedman (2005) lists critical differences between the twentieth century workforce and the twenty-first century workforce. In the twentieth century, he says, a high school diploma guaranteed a level of trainability for most jobs. In the twenty-first century, however, Friedman recognizes that skills credentials overshadow degrees and diplomas in importance. Employers in the twentieth century were seen on the sidelines complaining about education. In our economy today employers are working collaboratively with educators and parents to help prepare young people to face the challenges. In 1954, unskilled jobs made up 60% of the job market, with skilled jobs filling 20% and professional jobs made up the other 20%. By 2004, the mix had shifted. Although 20% of the workforce is still made up of professionals in the 2004 count, the skilled jobs represent 68% of the workforce and unskilled jobs represent only 12% (Bolin, 2005).
A PROBLEM FOR JOB SEEKERS
Earning a wage sufficient to support a family in America is a growing challenge. According to ACT research, employers are willing to pay higher salaries for higher skill levels. Occupations that require level 3 skills, sufficient for a bronze credential as explained later, pay beginning salaries of about $16,000. Occupations that require level 7 skills, at the high end of...