Factories having trouble finding workers

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- GenMet is a growing Wisconsin metal fabricating company that would be growing much faster if it could find one thing -- skilled workers.

"Currently we employ just over 70 people," said Mary Isbister, the company's president. "We would be able to double revenue this year if we could find 20 more."

Isbister said she's been turning work down on a daily basis because she needs more welders and workers to operate her laser cutters. Other manufacturers report shortages of electricians and machinists who can operate their computer-controlled equipment.


Snip...

experts in manufacturing staffing say that many of the factory workers who find themselves without a job simply don't have the specialized skills now in short supply.

Factories having trouble finding skilled workers - Mar. 11, 2011

 

My sister saw this coming years ago, and is why my son is finishing up in a diesel program. He got in ahead of the curve, thank goodness.

 

Could teachers do the job?

 

I had heard that enrollment for trade schools was up...and the interesting thing was that the students enrolling were much older....in their 30's,40's and above.

 

Makes sense. A lot of people have BA degrees with no market value. A trade school is a step up.

 

Highly unlikely since it actually requies knowledge of the subject.

 

That particular factory might be having trouble. Does not mean ALL factories are having that trouble.

 

Except in certain skilled trades. Dental assistant, vet assistant, those programs I agree are a bunch of hype and no guarantee of payback...

But in fields like plumbing, metal work, diesel...the guys that make it through those programs are gold. So long as they're willing to go where the work is.

 

I love seeing Democrats find employment. Imagine if Republicans actually "promoted" education. It would be much more difficult for Democrats to find a job. It's much easier with half of America out of the running.

 

Maybe not all of them,but according to some of the temp staffing companies, skilled trades are the hardest jobs for them to fill right now and this could get worse. This is true in the US and also abroad (effecting at least 36 other countries...per the article referenced in the link). Another factor listed is that due to the skilled workers currently in this field being older, they will retire soon leaving an even bigger gap in the manufacturing industry.