The Future of Middle-Skill Jobs
America’s shortage of highly-skilled workers is well known, but less attention has been focused on “middle-skill jobs,” such as plumbers, electricians, health care workers, legal assistants, machinists, and police officers. Such jobs require significant education and training, but not necessarily a four-year college degree. They make up roughly half of all employment today, and demand for middle-skill workers is expected to continue despite the economic downturn.
On February 26, the Center on Children and Families at Brookings released a policy brief analyzing the demand for these jobs and their potential for helping disadvantaged workers move up the income ladder. Speakers examined ways to improve education and training programs to ensure the demand for skilled workers is met. John Engler, president of the National Association of Manufacturers and governor of Michigan from 1991-2003, gave an address.
Agenda
Welcome & Introduction
Ron Haskins
Senior Fellow Emeritus - Economic Studies
Ellen Alberding
President, The Joyce Foundation
Keynote Speaker
Gov. John Engler
President, National Association of Manufacturers
Overview
Harry J. Holzer
Nonresident Senior Fellow - Economic Studies
John LaFarge Professor of Public Policy, Georgetown University
Panel 1: Preparing Workers for Middle-Skill Jobs
Moderator: Jennifer Phillips
Senior Program Officer, The Joyce Foundation
Ron Bullock
President, Bison Gear
Robert I. Lerman
Institute Fellow, Urban Institute
Israel Mendoza
Director, Adult Literacy and Basic Skills Programs, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Patricia Schramm
Executive Director, Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin
Panel 2: Needed Policy Reforms
Moderator: Paul Osterman
Professor: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Karen Elzey
Vice President and Executive Director, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Gerri Fiala
Staff Director, Senate Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety
Andy VanKleunen
Exeutive Director, The Workforce Alliance
More Information
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