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A new report from Generation and YouGov shows a growing disconnect between employer practices and rural talent potential. The study, Rural America is Ready for Remote Work, surveyed midcareer individuals aged 45 and older across 17 U.S. states in the Appalachian and Delta regions. The findings reveal a highly motivated but largely overlooked labor force willing to reskill, but hindered by shrinking remote opportunities, limited mobility, and systemic infrastructure challenges.
A Willingness to Reskill, If Given the Chance
Despite a lack of recent access to formal training, interest in learning new skills remains strong. Half of those surveyed expressed interest in reskilling, and 75% said they would actively pursue training if it improved their chances at securing remote work. On-the-job training was the preferred learning format, followed by online courses.
Financial Hardship and Stagnant Mobility
Survey data paints a sobering picture of rural economic conditions. Sixty-one percent of respondents said they couldn’t afford a $1,000 emergency, and nearly half of unemployed individuals have been without work for over two years. Despite this, only 8% would consider relocating, largely due to financial barriers, with 60% citing the cost of moving and 31% concerned about the uncertainty of a new location.
The findings echo broader Census data showing historic lows in geographic mobility, a trend no longer tied solely to aging demographics. Even among younger populations, Americans are moving less, and economic risk is a dominant factor.
Ageism compounds the issue, according to Forbes. Sixty-one percent of respondents believe their age limits job opportunities, a sentiment supported by Generation’s earlier research showing employers are three times more likely to hire someone under 35 than someone over 60.
Remote Work Could Bridge Talent Gaps
While employers continue to voice concerns about talent shortages — 71% of U.S. companies report difficulty finding skilled workers, particularly in tech, finance, and real estate — many are overlooking a viable solution hiding in plain sight. Rural, midcareer professionals are not only open to retraining but are well-positioned for remote roles in IT support, data analytics, finance, and marketing.
COVID-era infrastructure laid the groundwork for remote accessibility, but it requires long-term commitment from employers to build upon it. Rather than viewing remote work as a perk, businesses might consider it a strategic access point, and one that could solve workforce shortages while uplifting an eager and underserved segment of the labor force.
“Businesses and educational institutions will need to work together to help rural communities access infrastructure necessary to participate in the future economy. They will need to implement solutions that connect rural workers with job opportunities where they can begin earning and adding value,” reports Allwork.Space in a recent feature “Could Rural America Be The Heart Of Innovation In The Future Of Work?”
