The U.S. faces a labor shortage. The answer is at hand — and going to waste.

(SeaPRwire) –   The U.S. economy shed 92,000 positions in February, pushing unemployment to 4.4%. While economists anticipated slight expansion, losses instead hit construction, manufacturing, restaurants, administrative services, and healthcare.

However, the more serious issue extends beyond a single poor month. It represents a fundamental shift that has been developing over many years.

The Workforce Is Shrinking — and Fast

U.S. fertility rates have dropped below replacement thresholds. The Congressional Budget Office forecasts that Americans under 24 will decrease annually for the next 30 years. Additionally, Brookings Institution research shows net U.S. migration became negative in 2025 for the first time in 50 years.

The labor-force population is contracting. The supply of future employees is diminishing. Immigration is falling. Combined, these patterns signal a constricting workforce that endangers economic expansion, international competitiveness, and budgetary health for years to come.

The nation requires a dual-track workforce approach: developing future talent while mobilizing skilled individuals who can contribute immediately.

The Talent Is Already Here

Roughly 50% of recent work-authorized immigrants possess bachelor’s degrees or higher. Many work as engineers, medical professionals, financial experts, and teachers—bringing valuable international expertise. Yet millions cannot secure employment commensurate with their qualifications.

However, major obstacles sideline these workers: difficulties validating credentials, restricted professional connections, and recruitment prejudice prevent qualified experts from entering their established fields through no fault of their competence. This leads to neurosurgeons working as rideshare drivers, civil engineers stocking store shelves, and financial analysts in warehouse roles. Each case signifies not only personal setbacks but also industry and national productivity losses.

These aren’t training issues. The expertise exists and is prepared for use. It’s simply being underutilized.

What It Looks Like When It Works

As head of Upwardly Global, I’ve witnessed this disconnect firsthand. Jawad’s experience stands out. A Tunisian-trained nurse, he drove for Uber and worked in warehouses for years after moving to Chicago—even as a nearby hospital faced a shortage of 20 nurses.

Both his qualifications and the hospital’s staffing needs existed. What was absent was a connection. After linking him with a career coach and licensing exam expert, he secured an ICU position at that hospital.

Immigrants like Jawad typically earn $9,000 annually when they first seek our help. Following our guidance and support in securing appropriate positions, their average initial salary surpasses $66,000—a $57,000 per-person boost in the first year. These earnings feed directly into consumption, tax receipts, and economic output. Through thousands of placements, our program graduates have added billions to America’s economy.

What Business Leaders Can Do Now

Working with university students and immigrant professionals nationwide has provided me with distinctive perspective on the underutilized talent essential for generating the productivity and innovation required to lead globally.

Higher education institutions continue to serve as vital workforce development drivers—creating tomorrow’s talent pipeline. However, this process requires years. Companies need not delay.

• Assess applicants based on capabilities rather than where they studied
• Collaborate with workforce groups linking you to prepared immigrant talent in your area
• Fund the universities developing future employees

Organizations implementing these strategies aren’t passively awaiting labor market shifts. They will drive the transformation.