4 U.s. Workforce Trends You Must Be Prepared For So You Are Not Left Behind?

The history of the U.S. labor force is a story of dramatic change. The rippling effects of the massive demographic changes that occurred within the U.S. population over the latter part of the 20th century will create further changes in the first half of the 21st century. Be aware of the following 4 U.S. workforce trends to help you plan and shape your career path and education plans.

1) Baby Boomers Retiring
The Baby Boomer generation is retiring. Massive numbers of skilled labor; engineers, scientists, mechanics, technicians, are leaving the workforce. The generation behind them do not have enough of those skills. This trend creates opportunity for people who acquire the skills. When a gas mechanic for the power company retires, there aren't enough reliable workers behind them to fill his shoes. In cases like this, companies are rehiring the retired mechanic back as a consultant to visit job sites and make sure everything is done safely and properly.

2) Economic Globalization
Knowing different languages is becoming more important. There are 7 billion people on Earth and only 300 million in the United States. Wealth is growing in emerging countries like Brazil, China and India. Brazil has both the Olympics and World Cup in the coming years. The massive amount of construction, security, hotels and other service-oriented jobs they need to fill to prepare for these huge events is staggering.

3) Virtual Staff
A friend of mine recently started a speed dating company. He hired no staff. Instead, he outsourced his website design to a freelancer in India. Also, his marketing materials were designed off shore. It is easy to get a personal assistant based in India while you work at home, telecommuting.

I have another client of mine who has a full-time day job at the post office but who works from home at night as a virtual call center agent answering customer service phone calls for another major company.

4) Generational Culture Shift
Parents and grandparents whose careers were started mostly before 1990 typically had one career; a teacher, a carpenter, a farmer; and they did that for 30, 40 or 50 years until retirement. That culture has changed. Younger generations called Gen X and Gen Y, exhibit less patience. They want more responsibility earlier in life. They want exposure to a variety of jobs and careers. This creates more competition for limited numbers of good positions. The people who are constantly building and upgrading their skills will tend to win those jobs.

Although there isn't anything we can do to control these 4 U.S. workforce trends, you must prepare for the effects of them. Understanding what job skills are in demand can help you make more informed choices about how to spend your education dollars.