Low Skill Jobs Shrinking in Rural America

As manufacturing declined from 1990-2000, rural America experienced a shift in the skills demanded by rural employers. While the number low skill jobs actually increased in rural areas during the 1990’s, low skill employment now represents a smaller proportion of the rural economy.

Most of the shift resulted from occupational change within industries. Rural employers are demanding an increasing proportion of well-educated and skilled workers. The shift from low-skill to high-skill workers was most pronounced in the manufacturing industry.

To learn more visit: http://www.ers.usda.gov/amberwaves/november04/pdf/feature_lowskill.pdf