A new polling series commissioned by National Skills Coalition also reveals that a majority of voters, from all parties, consider skills training an important economic solution.
Washington, D.C. (May 13, 2024) – National Skills Coalition (NSC) unveiled today the top-line results from a new polling series, titled “Public Perspectives,” during its annual Skills Summit, NSC’s largest event of the year gathering hundreds of skills training advocates, thought leaders, and decisionmakers. The new polling series, conducted by Impact Research, analyzes voters’ perspectives of jobs, skills training, and the economy across a range of the most pressing issues facing the nation.
The series’ first release revealed that, overall, 82% of voters indicated support to increase government funding for skills training in America. Moreover, more than two thirds of voters (69%) said they would be more likely to support a candidate who champions investment in skills training—an increasing trend from 2019 when 59% of voters said this.
“Skills training is an issue that persistently unites voters across the spectrum,” said Robert Espinoza, CEO of National Skills Coalition, a national, bipartisan policy organization that fights for inclusive, high-quality skills training so that more people have access to a better life, and more local businesses see sustained growth.
“While there may be differing views from voters on several topics, voters across the board recognize that investing in skills training programs will empower workers of all backgrounds and help our economy thrive,” said Espinoza.
While voters from different political parties significantly differ in perceptions of the economy—with 56% of Democrats, 10% of Republicans, and 20% of Independents rating the economy as excellent or good—a majority of voters across party lines (73%) said expanding skills training is an extremely or very important way to improve the economy.
When it comes to serious problems facing workers, the top concerns shared by voters are jobs being shipped overseas (75%), artificial intelligence taking over jobs (68%), and lack of access to training programs that give workers the skills they need to fill in demand jobs (67%).
“Concerns over jobs leaving the country and new technology replacing workers highlight the critical importance of expanding skills training programs. We must equip all workers in America with the tools and skills to harness and work alongside new technologies to compete amid our ever-evolving job landscape,” said Rachel Unruh, Chief of External Affairs at National Skills Coalition and author of the “Public Perspectives” report series.
An overwhelming majority of voters (90%) indicated that they support providing access to digital skills training for workers throughout their careers so they can adapt to new technologies at work. Additionally, voters said they believe that skills training is essential to the success of key industries, including cyber security (85%), home health care (83%), and infrastructure construction (79%).
The “Public Perspective” polling series was introduced at NSC’s annual Skills Summit. During the 3-day event, which begins today, some of the country’s most influential leaders will share their views on pressing issues facing workers and the economy, including U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo and Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su, among other luminaries.
Over the next few months, NSC will release further findings on voters’ views in key states, across issue areas, and from different demographic groups.
Download the full research brief here.
###
Contact:
Carlos Diaz Barriga
Managing Director of Communications and Narrative Change
carlosdb@nationalskillscoalition.org
