Category Archives: Structural Unemployment

Is there a Skills Gap in Maine?

AS noted previously, much has been made in Maine regarding twin structural problems in the state’s labor market and overall economy.  The first problem is that Maine’s shifting demographics are causing a labor shortage (or, some will argue, will within the next 6 years).  However, the concern over shifting demographics is a bit misplaced; at […]

How did the Skills Gap descend so quickly?

“The structure of a modern economy does not change that quickly. The demographic composition of the labor force, its educational breakdown and even the industrial mix did not differ much between 2007 and 2009.” –Edward Lazear WHILE doing some research on a post re: the skills gap in Maine, I came across something rather interesting.  […]

Drivers of Interstate-migration: Implications for Maine Policymakers

THERE’S been a lot of discussion in Maine regarding projections of the state’s slowing and declining growth for the population and labor force.  While policymakers continue to focus on addressing these issues, recent research from the Center on Budget Policy and Priorities offers some insight on the reasons for interstate migration.  Reviewing Census and IRS data, […]

Maine’s Labor Market is not Suffering from Structural Problems . . . Yet

According to many policymakers, pundits, and others, Maine’s labor market faces twin structural problems.  First there is the skills gap, where the skills demanded by firms cannot be supplied by the current work force.  While both jobs and workers are available, the problem is the workers do not have the requisite skills for those jobs.  […]