Debate on the search for skilled workers

I saw this debate.

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/07/09/does-a-skills-gap-contribute-to-unemployment

It is no surprise that these debates never include people who have actually been through it.

It was interesting to read the comments.

I agree on balance that a jobs re-training program is needed, it can't be on the cheap, which is what so many were in the past. There are many skilled workers out there and many companies in the past trained qualified people in aspects directly concerning their company. That seems to have gone by the wayside.

While the need for almost anything medical would require schooling, with the number of unemployed out there I still don't see for insurance and coding that it could not be done by the practices in house.

Many of us over the years as our jobs grew and took on many new avenues (such as manual to computer) were trained in house.

Although I do agree that certain areas need specific in-depth training, I really feel it's just an excuse to not hire and once again blame it on people who need jobs because they didn't look closely at their crystal ball and foresee the "downturn" coming in 2008.

We need a jobs program, which should include training. However, I get tired of companies demanding help and tax breaks to hire and that's okay with everyone in DC, but helping people with benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, oh no, that's a handout. What exactly is a tax break for hiring, a payroll tax holiday, requiring the government to help with training expenses to hire additional employees. I call that a hand out too. Not that I wouldn't be glad to see it happen, but until they all decide to get on the same page, hire people at decent wages and become competitive, what is it they are trying to retrain people for. Every economist is scaling back their predicitions (crystal ball again) for the next few years. They see no reason to forecast growth, people don't have money and aren't spending. I sometimes wonder if this is all just a game to print news stories.

I have always been a believer that there is no such thing as too much knowledge, but I don't want to re-train for a ficticious job in a ficticious industry that may or may not hire us. Be specific, look at the growth areas and expectations and then start training people in those areas. Give tax incentives to companies that are moving in to new areas and startups. Adding three more stores to a strip mall isn't the answer to hiring us all. Temporary jobs the same, we can build and build and build, but eventually the building stops. We need sustainable jobs, no more 1099 and contract jobs with an expiration date. It's not the answer. Expansion, that's a good thing for a Boeing, Catepillar etc, not for Tmobile and AT&T, new insurance agencies looking to get into different states and hire commission only reps who are responsible for their licensing.

The danger for a job applicant is the employer that wants the latest and greatest in skills and don't pay well for them and once you get hired, rewrites your job description so that you are training your cowrorkers for free.

Also, employers should not require current marketable skills unless they intend to pay to keep you at that level. If not, you are in danger of losing your competitive edge if wish to work somewhere else.

Even if you get the training. Employers or clients want current experience. So, that means if your employed you can be rehired. People that have suffered since 2008 and before are finding it next to impossible to get new employment.

They want you to "Hit the ground running." Be as good as the person that has been there for years, without any training. I have had many Contract Assignments and did my own training, so I know what I am talking about.

Age discrimination is rampant. Older workers still must work and employers just don't care. Thank God, I am able to collect early Social Security. I still don't quailfy for Unemployent Insurance and have worked 5 different assignments. None lasting more then a week!

TR, good to see you. I am glad you are at least making some ends meet. You are right, I am 57, can't collect social security and haven't found a thing, not even contract work.