AP Debate: Davos leaders say more training needed to rebuild after loss of middle-class jobs

Michael Oreskes, Vice-President and Senior Managing Editor at the Associated Press (AP) moderates the session 'Creating Economic Dynamism' at the 43rd Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 25, 2013. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (The Associated Press)

Chinese Min Zhu, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, U.S. professor Joseph E. Stiglitz and Vittorio Grilli, Italian Minister for Economy and Finance, from left to right, attend the Associated Press session 'Creating Economic Dynamism' during the 43rd Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 25, 2013. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (The Associated Press)

U.S congressman Eric Cantor speaks in the Associated Press session 'Creating Economic Dynamism' during the 43rd Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 25, 2013. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (The Associated Press)

Economists and officials say a host of new training programs are needed to rebuild the job market after technological gains and the financial crisis wiped out millions of middle-class jobs over the past five years.

IMF Deputy Managing Director Min Zhu said governments aren't paying enough attention to training amid a widespread push for austerity. Eric Cantor, a Republican Congressman from Virginia, says training is needed to give workers the tools they need for the "new labor force."

They spoke Friday at an Associated Press debate at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Italian Finance Minister Vittorio Grilli, also at the debate, warned that shrinking birth rates are making economic prospects even worse: "To get people employed you need young people to be born."