Issue Position: Jobs Crisis

Issue Position

First, in order achieve short-term success we must address the current unemployment rate. Currently, Maryland is suffering with 6.5 percent, 8.2 percent in the nation. It's true that there are fewer jobs available; nevertheless, there are approximately 3 million jobs posted as available in the nation, 270,000 - 300,000 of those jobs are in Maryland. However, the majority of these jobs require specific skill sets. According to The National Skills Coalition, about 47% of Maryland's job openings require more than a high school diploma, but less than a bachelor's degree. We need to equip our current job seekers with the skills they need to take advantage of these "middle-skill" jobs.

As your representative, Jeremy will advocate for the formation of private and public partnerships between Maryland's top industries and the local and community colleges.

Intense, short programs can then be designed to quickly prepare our current job seekers for the "middle-skill" job openings already available, because taking two or four years to go back to college is not always feasible for someone struggling with unemployment.

Furthermore, in order for our workforce to stay competitive we must have relevant continuing education programs. Jeremy would also advocate for these programs to be readily available in our local and community colleges in order to keep our workforce employed.

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