Big Books & Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller

What’s behind the U.S. labor shortage?

Maverick's restaurant sign
A sign outside Maverick's in Roseville tells passers-by the restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays "due to labor shortage."
Jon Gordon | MPR News

Americans are quitting their jobs at record rates. In April, over 3 million Americans left their jobs. Layoffs and firings are at record-low levels.

For the last 16 months, there have been more jobs available in the United States than there were American workers to fill them.

In the past, there were needs for high-skilled workers in roles such as computer engineering and positions requiring an advanced degree. Today, restaurant workers, hotel staff and health care aides are in demand.

Guest host Tiffany Hanssen, filling in for Kerri Miller, spoke with Jeff Strohl and Susan Lund about U.S. labor shortages.

Guests:

Jeff Strohl is the director of research at the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce

Susan Lund is a partner at McKinsey & Company and a leader of the McKinsey Global Institute

To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above.

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