How do you get people into hot jobs? These are the jobs with high numbers of predicted openings such as software engineer, physician assistant and forensic science technician, that could enrich individuals and the economy — if people can get enough training to win these positions.

Hot jobs typically require considerable skills. And as MassINC, a US think tank, points out, about a million people in the US lack the basic skills needed to function in the new economy. The challenge is thus to increase training. The goal should be to find out which high-demand jobs actually pique the interest of the poor and underemployed, especially the women. The strategy is to have women consider a range of options and help them overcome barriers to getting these hot jobs. A team approach is essential in implementing such training programmes. It will bring in more resources and ensure that training is firmly linked to actual jobs.

The US Department of Labour announced last month that it will invest $125 million to fund 75 grants for community and technical colleges to close the skills gap with training programmes for high-growth local and regional industries. The need is clear. Good examples of training programmes should be forged into public/private systems that move people into the most dynamic parts of the economy. — The Boston Globe