Skills Gap Crisis Is Great Threat to US Economy, Congressman Says

Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) at the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology in Pleasant Gap, Pa., in August 2017. Thompson and Krishnamoorthi sponsored a career and technical education bill that was signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 31, 2018. Courtesy of Rep. Glenn Thompson

WASHINGTON—Optimism within the nation’s business world has reached its highest levels in years, yet this optimism is challenged by a growing shortage of skilled workers—an issue that cuts across many industries.

As the U.S. economy continues to expand, investment in workforce education and training have never been more important to sustain growth, according to the National Skills Coalition. Nearly 80 percent of jobs require some form of education or training beyond high school.