With a billion new workers competing for the world’s jobs, simply being an American is not an entitlement to a secure, high-wage job. High-speed communications and digitization are commoditizing work processes; every day it is easier to ship work around the world. Even technical work requiring skills that once commanded a premium is now often outsourced, off-shored or automated. Policies aimed solely at recovering lost jobs or stemming the tide of globalization are destined for failure.
American workers must establish a competitive edge at the intersection of disciplines – for example, science and business, math and economics, cultural anthropology and marketing, or art and telecommunications. Educational institutions must continue to adapt to prepare Americans with new skills as new industries and opportunities arise. We must recognize and embrace the multitude of opportunities created by the convergence of manufacturing and services. We must better link young job seekers with the needs of businesses and better understand the opportunities for high paying technically skilled jobs that cannot be easily off-shored.