Article Summary
Skill shortage is a genuine lack of adequately skilled individuals available in the accessible labor market with the type of skill being sought and which leads to a difficulty in recruitment. A recent article by Ben Casselman in the Wall Street Journal highlighted the difficulties recruiters and employers (specifically manufacturers) facing are moderate to severe shortage of skilled labors to fill their well-paying positions that requires specialized skills. The shortages (due to weak labor market) are being felt in what have been heavy-duty blue-collar jobs in manufacturing and other industries that somewhat do not require a college degree. The demand for skilled workers has a significant negative impact on the manufacturing firms and the skills gap can thus lead to a ripple effect.
Skills gap is used to describe the qualitative mismatch between the supply or availability of human resources and the requirements of the labor market. Skills gap exists where employers feel that their existing workforce have inadequate skill type or skill level to meet their business objectives; or where new entrants to the labor market are apparently trained and qualified for occupations but still lack a variety of the specific skills required. The shortage also affects the less-skilled workers who lose out on spin-off jobs to support the increased production. Because of skills shortages, employers are lowering their expectations when recruiting people and cutting back on capacity and quality level. The skilled worker gap is developing at large due to the significant decline in the manufacturing sector (aspects of globalization and off-shoring) that appear less stable and attractive now as large number of workers approach retireme...
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...rker employed). And, businesses may decide to increase production by making greater use of capital inputs such as extra units of machinery. A growing economy creates jobs for people entering the labor market for the first time; and it provides employment opportunities for people unemployed and looking for work.”
Article Source: “Help Wanted: In Unexpected Twist, Some Skilled Jobs Go Begging,” by Ben Casselman, The Wall Street Journal, Column A1, November 26, 2011.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203707504577010080035955166.html
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If more people went to college, and less went the vocational route, jobs will take a momentous hit. Today, companies will not even touch an application that does not include a Bachelor’s Degree; even if the Bachelor’s Degree has nothing to do with the job being applied for. Attention is not given to whether the hopeful applicant qualifies for the job; all that matters is that the applicant has a Bachelor’s degree. Murray best sums up the American job market when he says, “Employers do not value what the student learned, just that the student has a degree” (Murray). However, if less people obtain a Bachelor’s Degree, employers will be forced to base applicants on their skills, and abilities. Furthermore, important vocational jobs that lie vacant will be filled. Good electricians, carpenters, and construction workers will always be in
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In recessions of the past the American worker was laid off with the impression they would be rehired as soon as demand for goods and services were presented again. Now people in jobs from computer programmers to telephone operators are losing their jobs and never returning to the same field again. The big issue here is that if we continue outsourcing specific jobs overseas we could erase a whole industry of job opportunity from the American people. Economists say the framework of the U.S. labor force has been changed due to past outsourcing of jobs by this country. The more outsourcing that continues the more our job force’s structure will change. As a result, the American worker can no longer wait to be rehired into the same job or profession. Using their time while unemployed, Americans are retraining themselves and attempt to step into an entirely different career.
The world is growing increasingly competitive, with newer technologies making the earth seem to shrink in size. Now this isn't literally of course but figuratively. Information can be shared faster, and at a fraction of the cost that it used to. Therefore this newer technology has flattened out the world, Thomas L. Friedman stated that “ Every young American today would be wise to think of himself or herself as competing against every young Chinese, Indian, and Brazilian.”. Globalization makes it easier for people to connect and share their ideas. It also makes it easier for people to travel to work and connect with their co workers who may be hundred of miles away. Globalization is bringing the world closer. When competing for a job one may be competing with an Indian or Brazilian and whoever has the most education will get the job. Moreover it isn't local competition anymore it’s now on the global level, whether its offshoring the job or having the employee move. Friedman stated that “…data entry to securities analyst to certain forms of accounting and radiology that were once deemed non tradable are now tradable.”. More and more jobs can easily be off shored to a Chinese, Indian, or Brazilian who is more qualified than an American. Furthermore the likely hood of offshoring is increasing and so is the level of education one needs to have the job they want.
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In many nations, the relationship between labor and production has often been a tense one. On one side of the equation, businesses have insisted on greater productivity at lower costs. On the other side, labor (most often in the form of labor unions) has insisted that increased productivity can be best be achieved if the workers have a reasonable “living” wage and job security (Howard 2002).
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Economic growth focuses on encouraging firms to invest or encouraging people to save, which in turn creates funds for firms to invest. It runs hand-in-hand with the goal of high employment because in order for firms to be comfortable investing in assets such as plants and equipment, unemployment must be low. Hereby, the people and resources will be available to spur economic growth.
be the increase in jobs. Creation of new jobs will take place in the manufacturing
In reference to the labor market has become a place of constant change due to the heavy volume of mergers, buyouts, a labor shortage, closings, and changing markets. These changes have been accompanied by layoffs and the elimination of product lines. Even those industries noted for job security have recently engaged in layoffs in which . As the United States attempts to cope with rapid technological change and new competition from international companies, there is every reason to believe that there will be more volatility in the labor force. Interpersonal skills will be even more critical in the
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Entrepreneurs create new businesses, and new businesses in turn create jobs, strengthening competition, and may even increase productivity through technological change. Increases in levels of entrepreneurship will result to an increase in economic growth (Nolan, 2003).Entrepreneurs by starting or setting up their businesses, will help with local development by locating less developed areas. The growth of industries and businesses in these areas leads to infrastructure improvements, such as better roads and stable electricity. Every business that is located in a less developed area will create opportunities that will improve the living conditions of people residing in that particular area (Nolan, 2003).