New research from the Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University found that postsecondary institutions across the nation’s 55 largest metro areas are not producing enough middle-skills credentials aligned with “springboard occupations.” 

To identify shortages, the researchers compared production of middle-skills credentials, defined as undergraduate certificates and associate degrees, with projected job growth for springboard occupations, which offer higher median annual wages and stronger wage growth than other occupations that employ many middle-skills workers.  

A total of 159 springboard occupations were identified across 22 occupational groups, with significant variation across metro areas: 

• The occupational groups with the highest number of springboard occupations are installation, maintenance and repair (20 occupations); health care professional and technical (16); and production (16).  

• Springboard occupations with the most workers include electricians (505,000 workers); computer support specialists (426,000); production supervisors (232,000); and engineering technologists (185,000).  

The researchers found that none of the metro areas they examined are producing enough middle-skills credentials to meet projected demand for springboard occupations: 

• The Indianapolis, San Jose and Orlando metro areas produce the most aligned credentials but still experience shortages for specific occupational groups. In comparison, the Nashville, Grand Rapids and Portland metro areas produced the fewest aligned credentials.  

• The occupational groups facing the most middle-skills credential shortages include construction and extraction; installation, maintenance and repair; production; and protective services.  

• The occupational groups with the most credentials aligned to projected springboard occupations include arts, design, entertainment, sports and media; legal; health care professional and technical; and computer and mathematical sciences.  

Readers can explore additional findings with the report’s accompanying data tool. Questions can be sent to ACTE’s Research and Policy Coordinator Jesus Galvan (jgalvan@acteonline.org).