The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported last week that the March unemployment rate in the United States is 5.5%. On the surface, this is great news despite the flat month-to-month performance. However, if we dig deeper into the data the numbers are still bleak for several key constituents of the employment economy, and education and training are likely the vital factor to addressing chronic challenges in the overall unemployment rate. Take for example the U-6 unemployment rate, the indicator often viewed as the best overall measure of employment. This metric includes total unemployed, plus those who are working part-time because they are unable to find full-time work, as well as those who are too discouraged to be considered actively seeking full-time work. That number is also declining as the economy improves, but is still a staggering 11% or over 17 million people.1