Source: Fortune
Summary
Mckinsey research predicts the U.S. economy will have more jobs by 2035, but many workers will need to retrain or earn new credentials. About 11 million Americans may need to switch occupations, with 770,000 workers crossing occupational lines annually. Administrative assistants face automation in their field, but could transition to project manager roles. However, credential requirements and financial barriers hinder such moves. Employers and policymakers are urged to simplify pathways to growing jobs.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story.
11 million workers may need to change jobs by 2035.
770,000 a year cross occupational lines, three times the historical rate.
Credentials are the main barrier, not skills or safety.
Employers and policymakers have a role in making transitions easier.
Author: Evan Null
Key Challenges for Workers
The research highlights the growing need for workers to retrain as automation and shifting job markets reshape the economy. By 2035, the U.S. will have more jobs than today, but the composition will change significantly. Many workers will need to move from shrinking roles to growing ones, requiring new skills and credentials.
Administrative assistants, for example, face automation in their field, but could transition to project management. However, the process demands a bachelor’s degree and certification, which many find financially and time-wise prohibitive. This creates a gap between what workers can do and what employers require.
Other transitions are even more difficult. A dishwasher moving to home health aide has only 20% of the required skills and needs extensive training. These challenges are not just about skills but also about the cost and time needed to acquire new qualifications.
Credentials are the most common hurdle, with 85% of growing jobs requiring them. Nearly half of these are employer preferences, not legal mandates. This suggests that changing hiring practices could make transitions easier for workers.
Employers and policymakers have a shared interest in helping workers move into growing jobs. Simplifying licensing, making credentials modular, and offering financial incentives could reduce barriers and improve workforce mobility.
