Compared to 100 years ago, there is a higher demand for skilled workers in the United States.

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The statement asks us to compare the demand for skilled workers in the United States between now and 100 years ago, which requires considering historical labor market trends.
Option 1: True. Over the last century, the U.S. economy has transformed from predominantly agrarian and manufacturing-based to more service-oriented and technology-driven, increasing the need for specialized skills, education, and training. Advances in technology, automation, and global competition have elevated the skill premium, making skilled labor more in demand relative to unskilled labor. This perspective aligns with economic research showing rising returns to education and a growing share of jobs that require technical expertise.
Option 2: False. If one argues that demand for skilled workers has not increased, this would imply that skills are no longer valued more today than in the past, or that automation and offshoring reduced the need for skilled labor. However, evidence suggests the opposite: automation often complements and enhances skilled work, while low- to mid-skill manufacturing jobs have declined, and high-skill occupations have expanded. Therefore, stating no increase in demand misinterprets labor market dynamics and the shift toward knowledge-based work.
Additional nuance: It's important to distinguish demand for skilled workers from the number of skilled workers available. While supply may rise over time, the demand has also grown due to economic structure changes, policy changes, and globalization, which makes the claim of higher demand more plausible than the claim of no change or a decrease.
In summary, the historical evolution toward more complex, tech-oriented tasks supports the view that the demand for skilled workers is higher today than it was a century ago, while the alternative argues a stagnation or decline that contradicts observed labor market transformations.

2025FallB-T-GBL91-71876 Making Connections 3: Unit 2, Reading 2

Compared to 100 years ago, there is a higher demand for skilled workers in the United States.

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