The Middle-Skills Gap: Ensuring an Adequate Supply of Skilled Labor in Northern and Southern New England

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests that a mismatch between the skills demanded by employers and the skills supplied by the population may be underway, particularly for “middle-skill” workers who possess some college education or an associate’s degree. This policy brief examines the middle-skill mismatch in New England, comparing recent labor market trends and future projections for the northern versus southern subregions. The analysis finds that the nature of the mismatch varies within the region, indicating that policymakers should tailor their potential responses as opposed to taking a uniform approach. This brief expands on the NEPPC research report 10-2: Mismatch in the Labor Market: Measuring the Supply of and Demand for Skilled Labor in New England.

Keywords: middle-skill, mismatch, labor supply