ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) - A new study says the South has shortage of workers qualified for so-called "middle skills" jobs such as electricians, nursing aides and computer support specialists.
The report, released Sunday by the National Skills Coalition, was addressed to the annual Southern Governors Association meeting, held this year in Asheville
In North Carolina, for example, 51 percent of available jobs fall into the "middle skills" category, while only 43 percent of job seekers are qualified.
Toyota Motors vice president James Wiseman says his company struggles to find qualified electricians, tool-and-dye workers and employees with similar skills.
Wiseman says many such jobs pay between $50,000 and $75,000, without requiring a four-year degree.
The report emphasizes the need to steer people toward those jobs and provide retraining long after high school ends.
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