Submitted Photo A new labor forecast says that over the next seven years, the U.S. economy will need 5.25 million more workers with education and training beyond high school. Photo by Adobe Stock.

New national data reinforce what labor analysts have been warning for years: The U.S. economy faces a severe skills shortage. States are responding to ensure students have solid credentials, with North Dakota part of the conversation.

The Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce reported more than 170 occupations will see skills shortages through at least 2032, as more baby boomers with postsecondary education retire. The rate will far outpace the number of young workers with similar qualifications joining the labor market.

Alyssa Martin, director of the North Dakota Center for Distance Education, said the state has invested heavily in career and technical education but knows it can do more.

“We’re really intentional at the center about thinking about those students that aren’t being reached,” Martin said. “And how we can utilize our services in order to ensure that they have the same opportunities as their peers.”

She is referring to the 50 high school districts which cannot currently access the center’s virtual learning programs. This year, a new online program was launched to help North Dakota high schoolers earn industry-recognized certifications. The credentials could also qualify for college credit. It covers in-demand fields, including business and innovation, as well as construction.

Martin highlighted the new option in a forum hosted by the Education Commission to the States. Her team’s primary focus is the high school level but she added they are having talks about ways to engage with middle-school students and have them start thinking about possible careers.

“We believe that early exposures to career opportunities really do help students make those decisions at a very formative point in their lives,” Martin said.

The Georgetown report showed the largest projected shortfall of skilled workers will be in managerial and professional office occupations. Other fields lacking enough talent include teaching, nursing and engineering.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.