Opportunities for skilled workers with vocational training or an online associate’s degree are expected to grow by 2016, according to a new study.

Research conducted by The Workforce Alliance, Skills2Compete and the California EDGE Campaign suggests 2.7 million jobs will become available for middle-skill workers in California over the next seven years. The study defined middle-skill workers as having some job-specific education past high school not to exceed a bachelor’s degree.

In 2007, professions requiring such training accounted for 49 percent of total jobs in the state, but only 39 percent of workers and California were qualified to fill such positions.

The recession offers the state to “invest in training time” for middle-skilled workers by “evaluat[ing] labor and skill needs and train and prepare for the jobs that are expected to grow,” said Agnes Balassa of the Workforce Alliance.

Many industries that require large numbers of middle-skill employees - including the environment/energy, construction, manufacturing and transportation sectors - are anticipated to thrive after the economy recovers.

Workers wishing to take advantage of middle-skill job openings may consider online associates programs or training to gain professional development that will help them compete for careers in growing markets.