Rural workers are optimistic and innovative but are facing hurdles in tech access and career development, according to the latest “Generating Rural Opportunities in the Workforce” (GROW) report.
The joint study by the University of Phoenix Career Institute and the Center on Rural Innovation sheds light on the challenges rural communities face in staying competitive.
Rural workers are more than twice as likely to feel limited in their job prospects compared to their urban counterparts—35% versus 14%.
Sixty percent of rural workers feel that pursuing a career is out of reach, and nearly 70% would leave their hometowns to chase better employment opportunities.
Amanda Weinstein, research director at the Center on Rural Innovation, points to a lack of infrastructure as a key barrier.
The rise of the “knowledge economy” has hit rural areas hard because they don’t have the tech infrastructure that larger cities do.
While internet access is improving—73% of rural households now have high-speed broadband—it still lags behind urban and suburban areas.
On the bright side, rural workers are nearly as optimistic as their city counterparts, with 68% feeling hopeful about their career futures.
However, many don’t believe they can thrive professionally without leaving their communities.
Raghu Krishnaiah, COO of the University of Phoenix, emphasized that as baby boomers retire, businesses should look to rural talent to fill the gap.
Companies stand to benefit as much as workers by tapping into the rural workforce, noting that remote work offers a path forward.
Yet, the GROW report highlights a mismatch between rural workers’ ambitions and their available resources. The entrepreneurial spirit is high, but there’s a lack of tools and training to match.
According to industry leaders, rural development must go beyond local needs and focus on equipping workers for national and global opportunities.
The solution? Continued investment in broadband infrastructure, combined with efforts to build professional networks.
Mentorship programs and local networking events can bridge gaps, helping rural workers develop skills and connect with the right resources.
As rural America looks to the future, it’s clear that businesses, schools, and government must collaborate to ensure these communities aren’t left behind in the digital age.
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