America has millions of open jobs. So why can’t people find work?
This article is written by Tina Hamilton, an Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) member in Philadelphia and the founder and CEO of myHR Partner , a human resources outsourcing firm that manages HR for small and midsize businesses throughout the United States. The company has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list four times and was named to the 2025 Inc. Best Workplaces list. An HR expert, Hamilton shares…
Despite America's vast number of open jobs, individuals are struggling to secure employment. Companies are posting numerous "Now Hiring" signs in warehouses, hospitals, and factories, yet qualified candidates continue to be overlooked. The issue lies in the disconnect between available jobs and potential workers. According to research from the Lightcast project, the U.S. may face a labor shortage of approximately 6 million workers by 2032.
Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce predicts a shortage of 5.25 million workers with education beyond high school, including 4.5 million who will require at least a bachelor's degree. This shortage stems from an aging workforce, inadequate training, and a shrinking pool of potential candidates as baby boomers retire and fewer young people enter the workforce.
Employers are struggling to find workers with specific skills, particularly in healthcare, skilled trades, construction, teaching, and precision manufacturing. For job seekers, especially recent graduates, exploring adjacent fields, trade certifications, or apprenticeships may prove more fruitful than waiting for the perfect role that matches their degree.
The people problem is a significant factor in the labor shortage, more so than the impact of AI, which is indeed reshaping work but not the core issue.
Written by urgent.news from Fast Company's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
