Iowa has gap to fill in ‘middle-skilled’ workers
Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) announced that statistic today in a report on skilled labor needs. The agency also called on the state to promote more technical training opportunities and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
A better focus on technical skills is needed, since only 18 percent of available jobs are classified as low-skill, but 38 percent of available Iowa workers are considered low-skill workers, creating a gap. Currently, 32 percent of jobs available in Iowa are for high-skilled workers, but only 29 percent of the workforce is considered highly skilled.
The agency also said education needs to target not only youths, but also people already in the work force. By 2025, according to the report, the majority of the labor force will still be older workers unaffected by any changes in high school and college curriculum put into place in the near future. Therefore, the state also needs to focus on educating people already in the work force.
To see the full report, click here.