Investing in the Forgotten Middle

A Tested Strategy to Grow America's Economy

Middle-skill jobs, which require more than high-school, but less than a four-year degree, make up the largest part of America’s labor market. All too often, key industries in our country are unable to find enough sufficiently trained workers to fill these jobs. As a result, job creation and economic growth are stifled. We can’t afford that— particularly now—in our country.

Years ago, our nation established a number of workforce development programs to meet this demand by preparing America's workers for middle-skill jobs. But since then, our federal education and training policies have largely forgotten about these jobs, and investments in the programs that prepare middle-skill workers have plummeted. As a result, too many workers struggle to find decent jobs and too many employers struggle to find skilled employees.

Our federal policymakers must address the investment shortfall in the forgotten middle of the labor market. We simply can’t afford the lost jobs and productivity that complacence brings.

Other Resources

Holzer, Harry and Robert Lerman for The Workforce Alliance. America’s Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs: Education and Training Requirements in the Next Decade and Beyond. 2007

TWA, The Forgotten Middle, State-by-State. 2009