Catherwood LibraryILR School

The state of Maryland has officially adopted a policy supporting a new ?knowledge economy? and aimed at attracting professional jobs in biotechnology, defense and health care. Although the state is adding good jobs to the economy, it comes at the expense of alienating the underclass. The new jobs require extensive education and it is becoming harder and harder for those without special skills (i.e. those with only high school degrees) to get jobs that pay a living wage, or to get jobs at all. Federal funding for career centers and vocational training has been cut ? down 55% since 2000. Foundations, non-profits, and schools are offering some training, but without a concerted government effort, poverty is likely to increase. According to the Economic Policy Institute and Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the wage gap since the 1980s has grown faster in Maryland than in all but six states.