In response to recent emphasis by President Obama on strengthening the country's manufacturing sector as a key to economic recovery, Richard Florida sees knowledge-based jobs and new skills as the foundation for a new economic blueprint.
Although Obama's blueprint for his "economy that is built to last" begins with manufacturing, Florida notes that although, "Obama's blueprint for prosperity begins with manufacturing, it can hardly end with it."
One reason Florida identifies for his skepticism are job projections by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. By 2020, blue collar jobs (including construction and transportation) are expected to increase by four million, but just 357,000 of those jobs will be in "production." Compare that with the expected seven million high-paying jobs in the knowledge, professional, and creative class sectors and the ten million new jobs in the comparatively lower-wage service sector.
According to Florida, "The growing salary divide will only worsen America's inequality. The only real solution is providing workers with the skills they need to turn their low-wage, low-skill jobs into better-paying, higher-skill ones."
For Florida, the new economy will necessitate a blueprint that teaches people new analytical and social intelligence skills in every sector, "not one that looks back romantically at a category of jobs that no longer exists in substantial numbers."
FULL STORY: A Blueprint for a 21st Century Workforce

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

California Creates Housing-Focused Agency
Previously, the state’s housing and homelessness programs fell under a grabbag department that also regulates the alcohol industry, car mechanics, and horse racing.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Baker Creek Pavilion: Blending Nature and Architecture in Knoxville
Knoxville’s urban wilderness planning initiative unveils the "Baker Creek Pavilion" to increase the city's access to green spaces.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie