Workers in rural America feel increasingly left behind and under-leveraged as they are unable to stay competitive in their industries, according to new research from the University of Phoenix Career Institute® and the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI).

A major roadblock stems from limited technological infrastructure, including a lack of access to quality broadband internet — a long persisting problem.

• 32% of workers in rural America report poor quality internet, and 36% report poor quality technology for educational purposes.
• While progress has been made to close gaps, rapid tech innovation outpaces rural infrastructure development, transforming the labor market faster than rural communities can adapt

As a result, recent workforce transformation trends are not reaching or benefiting all communities equally.

The challenge: Geography often becomes a barrier for workers in rural America, particularly those of younger generations, and they feel driven to leave their communities to progress in their careers.

• In the rural workforce, approximately 61% of Gen Z and 76% of millennials surveyed have considered relocating to improve career prospects.

Regardless of age or background, workers in rural America are more likely to feel held back professionally because of where they live, compared to their nonrural counterparts.

What experts are saying: "Workers in rural communities are a critical segment of the workforce, and they have much to contribute to conversations around the future of work," said Raghu Krishnaiah, Chief Operating Officer for University of Phoenix.

• "In commissioning the G.R.O.W. ™ Generating Rural Opportunities in the Workforce™ report and convening key voices across government, nonprofit, business, and education, we can increase our capability to serve current and potential students from these communities and determine the best solutions to fuel the future of the rural workforce for their betterment as well as the American economy as a whole," he added.
• Per Matt Dunne, Founder and Executive Director of CORI, "Our organization has long observed a strong desire for career opportunities that keep people in their hometowns and the University of Phoenix Career Institute® G.R.O.W. report brings a new perspective to this conversation."
• "The findings underscore the fact that collaborating to establish broad and deep networks of cross-sector support is critical to generating impactful educational and employment offerings, and integral to creating sustainable new pathways to prosperity in rural communities," he continued.

The solution: The report outlines four ways employers and education institutions can support workers in rural America.

• Capacity building to access public funding for infrastructure improvements. Support localities in building capacity to navigate existing policy systems to access funds for improving broadband infrastructure.
• Building professional social capital. Develop formal and informal mentorship programs and host local networking events to build critical career connections, networks, and resources.
• Career mapping. Connect workers with the right pathways for skills development and overarching career options through personalized career mapping.
• Fostering entrepreneurship. Cultivate rural workers' interest in small business ownership and broaden potential for employment by creating opportunities in industries that may not already exist locally.

Next steps: Key leaders will explore opportunity areas and the potential for concerted solutions on December 3 during a webinar, "Bridging Barriers to Career Opportunity and Economic Growth for the Future of Rural America."

Explore the G.R.O.W.™ report.