A new report reveals Pennsylvania and the rest of the United States are expected to face a major worker shortage as millions of baby boomers retire.
It estimates that by 2032, the U.S. will need an additional 5.25 million workers with education or training beyond a high school diploma.
Report co-author Nicole Smith, chief economist at the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, said some of the most concerning shortages can be found in essential industries.
“It is most noticeable in managerial professions, which are, of course, along all aspects of industry,” Smith explained. “We talk about registered nurses and nurse practitioners that have significant shortages, of course, education and teaching. So, this should come as no surprise.”
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education has reported by 2026, more than half of the state’s 6.3 million jobs will require some level of postsecondary education, classified as “skilled occupations.”
The report noted a shortage in skilled workers could disrupt the U.S. economy for years to come. Smith pointed out immigration policies are contributing to the problem, as the U.S. continues to limit the entry of both skilled and unskilled workers. Smith believes America was built through diverse cultures coming together, creating a melting pot, embodying the nation’s success and sense of exceptionalism. More than 1 million immigrants are living in Pennsylvania.
“If we focus only on the skilled, we see what happened recently with the legislation changed to H-1B visas,” Smith emphasized. “Those visas predominantly were held by people in the technology sector to people in health care.”
She warned the U.S. must get more competitive to hold onto top talent or risk tanking the economy, slashing tax revenue, and slowing productivity.
The report urges policymakers to boost education for high-demand jobs by investing in training and support for workers reentering the job market. Recommendations include expanding loan forgiveness, employer or government-funded training and adding more apprenticeships or learn-and-earn programs.