Friends,
I invite you to read the article: The U.S. Labor Shortage Is Reaching a Critical Point. From the article, "The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that April closed with 6.7 million job openings. May ended with just over 6 million people the BLS classifies as unemployed, continuing a trend this year that has seen openings eclipse the labor pool for the first time. At some point that gap will have to close. Economists expect that employers are going to have to start doing more to entice workers, likely through pay raises, training and other incentives."
How do we see this need for employment impact learners? As students have employment, are you seeing declines in enrollment? Or, are you seeing the opposite - where students are seeking skills so they can obtain a job?
If there are 6.7 million job openings and 6 million people unemployed - is it the lack of academic skills? Lack of access to jobs? (Jobs available which would require a commute or move to another community?)
What does this data say to you and how do you create programming to match this need?
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Kathy Tracey
(You can follow the author of the article on twitter: Jeff Cox | @JeffCoxCNBCcom)
Comments
I'd like to add one more reason for the gap to those Kathy listed - not being able to pass an employer's drug test.
In addition to a lack of skills, I think there is also somewhat of a mismatch of skills. The huge push for everyone to get a college education may have caused a shortage of workers in the skilled trades. The renewed focus on apprenticeships should help.