Skilled Workforce Shortage

1571 Words4 Pages

“Despite the slow economy and rising unemployment, 30% of employers surveyed worldwide say they still face skilled-workforce shortages” (Katz 2008). Since this country went into a recession, many companies had to downsize by discharging a significant number of workers, consequently, forcing displaced workers to compete for lower level and lower paying positions. Certain industries are still trying to fill a large number of positions, despite the economic meltdown situation; sadly, many displaced workers may either obtain outdated skills or not have any skills to fill these new positions. For an example, an investment banker that was laid off in Wall Street would not display qualifications to work as an engineer or in energy industries. “Even with U.S. unemployment at or near record levels in many areas, Manpower’s research highlights the problems many employers have in finding individuals with the right combination of job-specific skills, experience and training” (Business Journal 2009). Therefore, unemployment may continue to increase, in certain areas, if frustration prompts employers to recruit in other parts of the country rather than utilizing local human capital. Many displaced workers may be required to enroll in life-long learning programs to update their skills or learn new trade if they want to successfully return to the workforce or even increase their living wages. Secondary education institutions should use this crisis as an example for preparing students early; however, education deficiencies may increasingly cause a devastating effect. Many will graduate high school with knowledge-based skills deficiencies, and as a consequence, will face worst problems because they will have minimal to no exposure to the job market... ... middle of paper ... ...s they attend postsecondary education institutions. Even when they enter postsecondary institutions, their unawareness of the job market may cause them to choose a program that will not produce growth in the area. Since not every high school graduate will attend college, states will have to create a committee that will provide students at least minimal knowledge-based curriculums and survival skills, while dealing with the technical and global nature of the economy. Job readiness and college programs should start as soon as their freshman year, but the problem is that many schools don’t have enough resources to provide their students these incentives. Also, certain groups display more limitations than others, therefore, will continue to lag behind in the global market until decision makers recognize that leveling the playing field will, actually, boost the economy.

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