A new analysis shows there are fewer blue-collar workers than white-collar workers in the United States — while demands for the former continue to rise.
The Conference Board published a report Thursday that spotlighted the gap between the two demographics.
Among the sectors that could see labor shortages in the coming years because of the deficit are transportation, healthcare support, manufacturing, agriculture, mining, and construction.
The shortage is due, according to the report, to demographic, educational, and economic trends converging in the U.S. economy. In other words, more people than ever are earning higher education degrees instead of entering the workforce out of high school in trade fields.
Coupled with retiring baby boomers, a sizable chunk of whom used to work blue-blue-collar jobs, a shortage is now occurring.
"In certain instances, companies looking to attract enough blue-collar workers will have to continue increasing wages and, as a result, possibly experience diminished profits," said Gad Levanon, the lead author of The Conference Board report.
"But the picture looks very different for the workers themselves. Compared to a few years ago, blue-collar workers are now much more likely to have a job they are satisfied with and experience rapid wage growth."
The organization included recommendations in its report as well, a list that includes investing more money in automation, reducing minimum education requirements for certain jobs, and opening blue-collar businesses in areas where more laborers live.
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