Ending Hunger in America, 2014 Hunger Report Full Report | Page 65
CHAPTER 1
A “Skills Gap” or a “Demand Gap”?
Not everyone is convinced the U.S. economy can achieve full employment. In fact, many
appear convinced that it cannot. Newspaper stories quote employers who struggle to find
skilled workers to fill jobs, as in this Associated Press story from July 2011: “…the president
of Ultra Scientific Analytical Solutions (John Russo) has found himself in a vexing spot,
struggling to fill openings that
require specialized training in a
Figure 1.11 Unemployment Rates of All Workers, and Workers in
state where the jobless rate is close
STEM and Non-STEM Occupations with at Least a
to 11 percent, the third-highest in
Bachelor’s Degree, 1994-2012
the nation. ‘It’s very difficult to
find the right person. I honestly
10%
think there’s a large swath of
9
unemployable,’ said Russo, whose
8
firm manufactures and supplies
7
All workers, all education levels
analytical standards.”81
6
“They don’t have the skills,” goes
5
the refrain. Frustrated employers
4
Non-STEM workers,
such as Russo appear regularly in
3
at least a bachelor’s degree
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