Work Comes at Cost for Single Mothers

Among the notable statistics from the underwhelming April Jobs Report was this: The labor force participation rate for women between the ages of 25 and 54 hit an all-time high at 78%. It has rebounded nicely from the pandemic-induced “she-cession” that forced so many women, particularly working mothers, out of the workforce. Meanwhile, the overall labor force participation rate remains unchanged at 62.7% – a number that is still too low due to our aging population, early retirements, caregiving needs, and other factors accelerated by COVID-19.???

While we can – and should – celebrate the fact that women are reclaiming workforce progress that was made prior to the pandemic, we cannot ignore that women still face significant challenges, particularly single mothers.???

This past Mother’s Day weekend, I thought of my mom who, when I was six years old, suddenly found herself the sole breadwinner, raising four children alone. She took whatever part-time work she could find, eventually founding her own marketing firm where she worked until she retired in her 80s. I still remember seeing her on the train platform as she commuted into New York City in the 1970s. She was the only woman in a sea of men.??

Today, there are many more women on that platform, but, for single mothers, challenges still abound. One in five U.S. families have a single parent – 90% of them single mothers – according to Pew. More than 24 million children live in a household headed by a single mother.? The poverty rate for these families has increased dramatically since the pandemic. The gender pay gap – women make just 92 cents on the dollar compared to men – and high childcare costs contribute. The result: unless you’re a high earner, being a single mother is often not financially feasible.?

This is one of the reasons I’m so passionate about flexible, nontraditional ways of working, and why Kelly has programs like Equity@Work to help break down barriers to employment.?

Two sectors that need many workers—and where single mothers could make a big impact with the right support—are skilled trades and education.??

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Skilled trades are hurting?

Graduation season is upon us and high school students across the country are tossing their caps in celebration of embarking on the next chapter in their lives. For many, that next chapter is college. For too few, it’s entering the trades.?

We have a dire shortage of carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and other skilled tradespeople in this country – and it’s getting worse. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that more than 40% of workers in the trades are over age 45 and approaching retirement, so the need will soon skyrocket. It’s already contributing to a construction slowdown and has a negative effect on the economy.??

Skilled trades pay well – the median salary for an apprentice electrician is over $61,000 a year – usually with little or no school debt. We must end the idea that everyone needs a four-year degree and funnel more high school grads into vocational schools and apprenticeships to create a steady stream of workers entering the trades. Let’s start by educating Gen Z on the benefits of the skilled trades, making the trades more attractive and welcoming to women, and allowing more immigration to boost the number of tradespeople in the U.S.??

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Shortage in the classroom?

Our classrooms need teachers – over 55,000 of them. Today, 41 states face teacher shortages, especially in STEM fields, global languages, and special education.?

While pay is partly responsible, teaching also has a PR problem. After years of news stories about stressful conditions, non-competitive benefits, and safety concerns, not enough undergraduates are entering education as a profession.?

To attract teachers, some states are offering signing bonuses, raising pay, and allowing alternate teaching certification programs. Kelly Education, the country’s largest provider of education talent, recruits and trains new substitute educators and provides a path for them to work toward a teaching certificate or degree. In 2022, more than 1,000 Kelly Education substitute educators signed up to learn about our Accelerated Certification and Education program.?

In the face of a pressing educator shortage, addressing the multifaceted challenges educators face is essential for cultivating a resilient and dedicated workforce. A supportive work environment, underscored by the "whole educator" approach, emphasizes the importance of comprehensive wellness programs and mental health resources, paralleling the holistic "whole child" perspective in education. The essence of fostering open communication and continuous education—including professional development opportunities, stress management, and resilience training—cannot be overstated.??

Additionally, integrating artificial intelligence tools to alleviate administrative burdens presents a forward-thinking strategy to enhance educational interactions and outcomes. By valuing and nurturing educators through these measures, we create a conducive environment for high-quality, uninterrupted learning experiences, thereby affirming our commitment to preparing future generations for leadership and innovation. This comprehensive approach not only addresses the immediate issue of teacher absenteeism but also serves as a testament to the power of a supportive, engaged, and the continuously evolving educational community.?