Friday, November 26, 2004
In many regional economies we face a paradox. People complain that they can't find jobs, and employers complain that they cannot find workers. The reason: a skills gap.
For a number of years, we have been producing too many young adults with weak skills and no career plans. About half of the young people who enter high school enter adulthood with skills that do not qualify them for jobs over $10 or $12 per hour.
At the same time, older workers are losing good jobs, but their skills are so weak that they cannot qualify for new jobs at a similar pay. So, for example, manufacturing workers lose jobs at $15 per hour, but they do not have the skills to qualify for the new jobs coming on line.
So, we have shortages of many occupations that require some post secondary education: pharmacists, nurses, teachers, medical techs, flight traffic controllers, skilled trades, even long haul truckers.
Here's an article that explores the skills gap. Read more. Get used to it. The gap will grow as the Baby Boom generation reaches retirement.
posted by Ed Morrison |
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Some Background on EDPro Weblog
The purpose of this weblog is to help economic development professionals -- EDPros -- keep up with the changes sweeping our profession. Strap on your goggles. It's a whole new game. There are no experts any more. The only place to learn about economic development is from other EDPros who are doing it.
One other point: the prevaling approach (paradigm, if you like) in economic development is shifting from competition to collaboration. There are a lot of reaasons underlying this shift, but here's the important insight: You, your community, and your region will do better by collaborating and sharing information.
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Speaking and workshops on Open Source Economic Development
As the idea of Open Source Economic Development starts spreading, more people are asking about it. Visit the I-Open web site to learn more. My colleagues and I are happy to explain the basic concepts in a talk or a workshop. E-mail Susan Alshuler if you'd like to learn more about workshops and speaking.
Background on Ed Morrison
Download some background information on me here.
The skills gap will continue to grow
