--- title: "Editor’s Note: In Search of a Workforce" id: "38421" type: "post" slug: "editors-note-in-search-of-a-workforce" published_at: "2017-06-01T11:30:34+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-09T16:18:46+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/06/01/editors-note-in-search-of-a-workforce/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/06/01/editors-note-in-search-of-a-workforce.md" excerpt: "In an age of aging employees and shifting technology, how associations are fostering new talent within their workforce." taxonomy_category: - "Career Development" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "Education Law" - "talent development" - "workforce" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Director" - "Executive Team" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Editor’s Note: In Search of a Workforce When you cover associations every day, as we do at AssociationsNow.com, interesting patterns and recurring themes emerge. One of the strongest drumbeats we’re hearing now warns of the urgent need to develop a workforce prepared for the future. Associations in starkly different professions and industries—from [construction](http://associationsnow.com/2016/05/construction-groups-set-out-to-fill-industrys-skills-gap/) to [landscape architecture](http://associationsnow.com/2017/04/associations-work-tackle-industry-workforce-shortages-head/) to [marine industries](http://associationsnow.com/2017/04/boatbuilding-program-introduces-high-schoolers-marine-industry-careers/) to [senior living](http://associationsnow.com/2016/02/workforce-development-senior-living-industry/) —are racing to address a talent shortage that must be remedied if their members are to survive the next decade, let alone the 21st century. The backstory varies, of course, but in most sectors the shortfall is linked at least in part to rising retirement rates among baby boomers and the rapid pace of technological change. And being enmeshed in the tech industry doesn’t make you immune—in fact, there, the challenge is especially acute. [As Emily Bratcher learned in interviews](http://associationsnow.com/2017/06/future-focus-how-associations-are-preparing-for-the-next-generation/) with leaders at associations representing app developers and the automation industry, an insufficient pipeline of skilled workers is leaving many jobs vacant. “In the tech industry … we have 250,000 unfilled positions with an average salary of greater than $92,000 a year,” Morgan Reed, executive director of ACT: The App Association, told her. [An even more staggering number comes from Charles Eaton](http://associationsnow.com/2017/06/workforce-challenges-future-stands/) , executive VP at CompTIA: The IT industry created 2.5 million new positions last year alone. His organization is looking for the “secret sauce” that will attract young people to pursue the education they need to enter the field, starting as early as middle school. In this, our annual technology issue, Emily’s story looks at how a handful of associations, including the Girl Scouts of the USA, are working to help develop tech-savvy talent. Whether your organization represents robotics engineers, landscape architects, boat builders, or (in ASAE’s case) association professionals, the global economy is counting on you to help pump that vital fuel into the workforce pipeline. (iStock/Thinkstock) [Julie Shoop](https://associationsnow.com/author/julie-shoop/) Julie Shoop is a former editor-in-chief of Associations Now in Washington, DC. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/julie-shoop/) Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#Education Law](https://associationsnow.com/tag/education-law/) [#talent development](https://associationsnow.com/tag/talent-development/) [#workforce](https://associationsnow.com/tag/workforce/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [PodcastWorkforce Development in Associations: AI, Adaptability, and the Power of DEIOctober 15, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/10/15/workforce-development-in-associations-ai-adaptability-and-the-power-of-dei/) - [VideoThe Impact of Delayed Retirement on Your Association’s Bottom-LineFebruary 26, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/02/26/the-impact-of-delayed-retirement-on-your-associations-bottom-line/) - [Video🚀 The Agile Association Professional: How to Pivot Your Career Path When the Strategic Plan ShiftsJuly 28, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/07/28/the-agile-association-professional-how-to-pivot-your-career-path-when-the-strategic-plan-shifts/) - [TemplateMembers onlyDeveloping Engaging WebinarsApril 22, 2020](https://associationsnow.com/2020/04/22/developing-engaging-webinars/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2017%2F06%2F01%2Feditors-note-in-search-of-a-workforce%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !