The document discusses the skills gap in the United States and Massachusetts labor markets. There are more job openings than unemployed workers due to a mismatch between the skills employers need and what workers have. This skills gap was caused by changes in educational attainment levels over time. The document recommends actions for government and businesses to address the skills gap, such as reforming education and job training programs, increasing partnerships between employers and educators, and providing more opportunities for on-the-job training and internships.

1. HELP WANTED: BRIDGING THE SKILLS GAP
Kip Hollister
Founder and CEO, Hollister
Co-Chair, Alliance for Business Leadership
Economic Development Initiative

2. THE SKILLS GAP – WHAT IS IT?
United States
• There are 3 million job openings across the country,
according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Unemployment persists at 7.9%, with over 12 million
Americans looking for work.
Massachusetts
• There are 120,000 job openings in the
Commonwealth.
• Twice as many people, 240,000, are seeking jobs.

3. THE SKILLS GAP – WHAT CAUSED IT?
• Harvard Pathways to Prosperity Project: an
education gap has led to a skills gap.
• In 1973, Americans with high school education or
less made up over 70% of workforce.
• In 2007, same Americans only comprised 41%.
• Georgetown Center on Education and Workforce:47
million job openings by 2018 and half will require at
least an associate’s degree.
• Young adults are unprepared to enter workforce and
middle-skilled professionals are in demand.

4. WHAT CAN GOVERNMENT DO? – FEDERAL LEVEL
• Reauthorize Elementary and Secondary Education Act
(ESEA) – Last reauthorized in 2002. An updated ESEA
would support public school districts in their efforts to
drive innovation, enhance STEM instruction, close
student achievement gaps, cultivate 21st century skills
and prepare students to be college and career ready.
• Reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) – Last
reauthorized in 1998, a time of prosperity and a starkly
different economy. As the global economy becomes
increasingly dependent on innovation, technology and
skill, our job training programs must be updated to reflect
current workforce demands.

5. WHAT CAN GOVERNMENT DO? – STATE LEVEL
• Community College Reform – MA Legislature passed
changes to better align community college instruction
with prevailing workforce demands. 3 Alliance Members
were placed on community college boards to provide
business input.
• Workforce Development Funds – RFP recently issued by
the Commonwealth Corporation for “Middle Skills Gap
Grants.” Businesses are eligible to apply. Letters of
intent must be filed by 11/17. RFP can be accessed via:
www.commoncorp.org

6. WHAT CAN BUSINESS DO?
• Companies can provide on-the-job training to workers –
and there’s even a state grant for training to support
companies investing in these programs.
• Companies can provide internships to students, which
can lead to some of the best employees.
• Building leaders within companies and providing
professional development can also be a powerful way to
attract and retain top talent, and contribute to a
sustainable workforce.
• Companies can partner with local community colleges to
build curriculum. Critical, especially for vocational
education.

7. WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?
High School Innovation Labs
• A platform for educators, students, business and the
community to develop and pilot initiatives to link learning
to the 21st century workplace and the social, economic
and environmental challenges that matter
P-Tech, “9 to 14 Schools”
• P-TECH is a STEM Pathway grade 9 through 14 school
that confers both the high school diploma and a no-cost
Associate's degree in technology

8. QUESTIONS FOR
BREAKOUT SESSION
1. With respect to on-the-job training, internships,
mentorships or partnerships with academia:
A. What are the keys to success?
B. What are the barriers to implementation?
2. What big idea in education reform should the Alliance
pursue?
A. Innovation Labs
B. P-Tech, 9 to 14 Schools
C. Other: ______

9. CONTACT INFORMATION
Kip Hollister, Co-Chair
The Alliance Economic Development Initiative
Kip@Hollisterstaff.com
Kelly Bovio, Senior Policy Advisor
The Alliance for Business Leadership
kbovio@allianceBL.org
The Alliance for Business Leadership
www.AllianceforBusinessLeadership.org