Exploring Middle-Skill Training Programs for Employment in the Retail Industry

The retail industry is a large and growing sector of the U.S. economy, accounting for about 10 percent of the nation’s jobs in 2013 and projected to increase by 7 percent by 2022. MDRC was prompted to explore the potential of the retail sector as a ladder to middle-skill and middle-income jobs due to the sheer size of the industry and the number of employment opportunities it affords low-skilled workers. MDRC conducted a national survey that focused on programs delivered by community-based nonprofit organizations. The resulting report is based on interviews with more than 70 policymakers, industry representatives, workforce development funders and practitioners, and others.