The Skilled Nation Index
The numbers behind skilled work
Openings, wages, and enrollment on one data page. Updated every issue. Every figure links to its source.
Edition: Issue 1 preview. Figures as of October 2026.
Charts
Demand, supply, and the money-skills gap
Net new construction workers needed
Workers the industry must add, by year.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 349,000 |
| 2027 | 456,000 |
Registered apprentices against the national goal
Active registered apprentices, August 2026.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Active today | 714,000 |
| National goal | 1,000,000 |
Manufacturing jobs to fill by 2033
Total openings, and the share at risk of going unfilled.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Jobs to fill | 3.8M |
| At risk | 1.9M |
Source: Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, April 2024
Basic personal finance questions answered correctly
Average score on the P-Fin Index, 2025.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| All U.S. adults | 49% |
| Gen Z | 38% |
Method
How we build The Index
We use public data from federal agencies, industry groups, and research institutions. We name each source and link to it. When a source updates its figures, we update The Index in the next issue and note the change.
Found an error? Write to editors@theskillednation.com. We correct mistakes in public. See our editorial standards.
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