Southern New England’s Middle-Skill Gap: Dilemma for the Hospitality Industry
By Erinn D. Tucker
In various parts of the United States, there is a significant workforce shortage because of an inadequate supply of workers with in-demand skills. Even though many Americans are graduating from high school and college, employers are concerned about the preparation and specific skills of new graduates. Unless major improvements are made to the American educational system, American employers will be unable to find enough qualified workers for the growing numbers of skilled jobs.
Policymakers and business leaders in New England are concerned about the ramifications of a potential shortage of skilled labor. Besides worrying about insufficient numbers of skilled workers, policy makers and business leaders are also concerned that the region’s workforce will not have the right mix of skills to fill the jobs created by the New England economy. While the region needs a mix of high, medium, and low skilled workers, it is the lack of workers needed to fill the middle-skill level that is of primary concern.
“Special attention needs to be given to attracting and developing a non-professional workforce,” says Dr. Sandra Casey-Buford, executive vice president of strategy and innovation for Decision Insight, Inc., an organizational transition management firm located in the Greater Boston Area. “It has been well noted that the non-professional and paraprofessional workforce in Massachusetts remains in the shadows of the hundreds of highly skilled professionals who graduate from the state’s mecca of colleges and universities.”
What is a middle-skill job?
One that requires more than a high-school diploma, but not a four-year college degree.
What is the projected growth for middle-skill jobs?
Some 40 percent of all job openings in Massachusetts between now and 2016 will be middle-skill jobs.
Who provides training for these jobs?
Employers, community colleges, apprenticeship programs, nonprofit community-based training organizations, and private career schools.
How can we meet the demand for middle-skill and high-skill jobs?
Every Massachusetts resident should have access to the equivalent of at least two years of education or training past high school and the basic skills needed to enter that training.
A recent research report for the New England Public Policy Center, ]Mismatch in the Labor Market: Measuring the Supply of and Demand for Skilled Labor in New England, identified the middle-skill category as facing the greatest imbalance between the supply and demand for labor in New England over the next two decades. Middle-skill workers are considered individuals with some college education or an associate’s degree. These workers often fill critical jobs in healthcare, education, information technology, and other industries such as the hospitality industry. These jobs require some specialized skills, and often involve interpersonal interaction that cannot be easily outsourced or automated. This description fits the hospitality industry to a tee. Great service cannot be outsourced; you must come to the service professionals who know what it is and how to deliver.
Recent labor market trends and future projections for southern New England (Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island) vary tremendously from northern New England (Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont). In northern New England, where population growth is projected to stagnate, policies aimed at attracting and retaining skilled workers will be a priority. In southern New England, where the population is projected to shift toward minority and immigrant groups, policies need to ensure that workers have the right skills to fill jobs created by the region’s economy.
Massachusetts is experiencing a shortage of middle-skill workers]. In 2007, about 45 percent of all jobs were classified as middle-skill, but only 32 percent of Massachusetts’ workers had the education and training required to fill those positions. In reality, the gap was likely even greater in certain industries because many workers trained to the middle-skill level—and even those with bachelor’s degrees—did not have the specific technical skills needed. This means that thousands of well-paid and rewarding jobs are going unfilled in the Commonwealth. Middle-skill workers provide the fuel for industries, such as hospitality and tourism that are, and will continue to be, essential to keeping businesses in Massachusetts while also enhancing the state’s economic portfolio.
While, Massachusetts has made significant investments in education and training for its workforce, especially in K–12 education, basic skills, and incumbent worker training, the Commonwealth has under-invested in public higher education and vocational and technical training—two critical components of the state’s training infrastructure that must be better aligned to meet industry demand for middle-skill workers. It is recommended that Massachusetts develop affordable pathways to post-secondary education and training for all residents, including those with very low skills and incomes. Massachusetts should also address the gaps that often exist between adult basic education, post-secondary training, and industry-specific skills training.
Dr. Casey-Buford suggests that firms need to form more partnerships with two-year vocational schools and community colleges. “I find that many people don’t know what opportunities exist in lodging and related industries,” she said. “Therefore, partnerships should include career awareness seminars and workshops, internships, mentorships, scholarships, and sponsorships to grow a pipeline of well-prepared candidates.”
In addition, it is suggested that Massachusetts also make significant investments in programs that will train more residents who are laid off, or working in low-skill jobs, for better paying middle-skill jobs and careers. Specifically, the hospitality industry provides the greatest opportunity for this investment due to the multiple business segments it affects directly. The chart on the following page identifies, but is not limited to, the various segments of the hospitality industry.
Due to the effect the hospitality industry has on various business sectors and suppliers, this opens up an opportunity for Massachusetts to address the middle-skill shortage. There are many different pathways to middle-skill jobs and the table below provides a brief summary of opportunities for workforce deployment training programs for Massachusetts.
Addressing the need for middle-skill workers will require attention not only to educational opportunities for young people, but also for those already in the workforce. Close to two-thirds of the people who will be in the Massachusetts workforce
in the year 2020 were already working adults in 2005—long past the traditional high school-to-college pipeline. That is why talent management and workforce development have become and will continue to be some of the most important issues emphasized by human resources management. This provides southern New England with the opportunity to shape and develop human capital for a sustainable and growing economy.
11 comments
Thanks for this wonderful and amazing information. DGME Paystub Portal
This is what information i am looking for. My Payments Plus
Absolutely the same troubles with policymakers with our university program on hospitality and guest relations. Seems that the government thinks it is not important.
I see it as a kind of liaison between the government and the university. For instance, it can be of regulative function, and also the government can provide a number of grants etc. Sometimes it is not easy to apply for that directly, so an Education lobbying firm in Washington, DC can be of really great help here.
I don’t have any special skills when it comes to repair, DIY and creativity. But that doesn’t mean I don’t like learning and trying new things while improving the look of my apartment. When choosing materials, I always focus on quality and ROMAN Products are ideal in this regard. If you are also interested in changing your interior, this will be a great choice.
تولید کننده انواع سازه های فلزی در ایران با بهترین قیمت و کیفیت
شرکت ساخت سازه های فلزی
برای تهیه میلگرد بستر مراحل طولانی سپری می شود .مراحلی چون تهیه مواد خام برای میلگرد بستر. کشش میلگرد بستر . برش میلگرد بستر و مراحل خم کاری و جوش میلگرد بستر و در آخر آب کاری میلگرد بستر تمامی این هزینه ها در قیمت میلگرد بستر موثر است.و تمامی قیمت های میلگرد بستر به این عوامل ارتباط مستقیم دارند .تلاش ما این است با استفاده از تیم مجرب با کم ترین هزینه و بهترین کیفیت میلگرد بستر را عرضه و تولید کنیم.
قیمت میلگرد بستر
Прибыльные стратегии, разработанные успешными трейдерами, уже доказали свою эффективность. Использование таких стратегий позволяет снизить риски и повысить вероятность получения прибыли. Эти стратегии включают в себя различные подходы к анализу рынка, управлению рисками и выбору оптимальных моментов для входа и выхода из сделок. Криптовалютный рынок https://tradelink.pro/marketplace/bхарактеризуется высокой волатильностью и изменчивостью. Прибыльные стратегии учитывают эти особенности и позволяют адаптировать торговлю под текущие условия рынка. Это особенно важно для поддержания стабильной прибыли в долгосрочной перспективе.
For anyone needing unique content, Spinbot is an excellent tool. It quickly generates plagiarism-free text and enhances writing efficiency. I’ve found it invaluable for improving my productivity and creating high-quality content without the hassle of registration.
Spinbot.org is a free AI-powered article Spin Bot AI and rewriter that quickly generates unique and SEO-friendly content. It offers a plagiarism-proof solution to enhance text quality for bloggers, students, and professionals. Spinbot saves time by automating content creation without the need for registration.
To learn more about the true stories behind your favorite movies, visit Is True Story. The site offers detailed analyses and fascinating insights into how real events inspire cinematic tales. It’s a must-read for film enthusiasts. watch the real truth about Unstoppable A True Story