How to fill infrastructure’s looming jobs gap

[longknife]

I don't think there's a single American adult who doesn't know how badly we need to rebuild and repair the roads, highways, and bridges in this nation. It's a massive task and we were all promised that some Obama massive spending bills would cover “shovel ready” projects to correct the need.

All I've seen to day are pedestrian bridges to nowhere in odd places and updated, modern bus shelters. Where's the rest of it?

Workers in infrastructure occupations also use more than twice the number of tools and technologies (14) compared to the average number (6) used across all occupations. From personal computers and two-way radios to forklifts and power saws, infrastructure workers must become adept with an assortment of instruments and devices to do their jobs.

Remarkably, despite these knowledge requirements, 93 percent of workers in infrastructure occupations usually do not require a bachelor’s degree. While some infrastructure occupations, such as nuclear engineers and landscape architects, need more advanced levels of education, the vast majority do not, often having a high school diploma or post-secondary certificate while still earning competitive wages. This means on-the-job training is particularly important, which employers, educators, and workforce development agencies must address collectively at a regional level, similar to efforts already underway in places like Los Angeles, Seattle, and Chicago.

Full story w/links @ How to fill infrastructure’s looming jobs gap

 

[OnePercenter]

In Vegas we've had a ton of projects over the last eight years. The I-15, the strip, all of the major roadways, perhaps you need to look harder.

 

[DGS49]

There is a basic point that must be acknowledged: Government has no money. Every dollar Government spends must be either borrowed or taken out of a taxpayer's pocket. To pretend that either of these strategies is beneficial (tax or borrow), is simply foolishness. It's like borrowing money so you can eat in a posh restaurant, and then feeling good about your prosperousness.

It is often rightly pointed out that the federal gas tax is routinely diverted to other stuff, and it could painlessly be raised. This is where infrastructure spending should originate.

Infrastructure maintenance is necessary, but it also tossing money into a bottomless pit. There is never 'enough' spending. The same is true for education.

 

[ScienceRocks]

Infrastructure and education are both economically beneficially to this country. Government is a necessary part of maintaining this country and that is why we elect one in the first place. The question is, who else can manage the money from the tax payers that use the resources and apply that money where it needs to go?

If you want to drive on the roads you should pay some taxes to do so...That is only fair. THe entire liberterian belief system that government is evil and that we shouldn't have these taxes is insane and idiotic to the extreme. Most of the time the tax is raised with voters approval and that is the way it should work.

Our founders seen the need for the government to have the power to tax and that is a good thing. There's no question is can be abused but to act like we shouldn't invest in our own country is the height of Haitian idiocy.

 

[Rshermr]

Infrastructure and education are both economically beneficially to this country. Government is a necessary part of maintaining this country and that is why we elect one in the first place. The question is, who else can manage the money from the tax payers that use the resources and apply that money where it needs to go?

If you want to drive on the roads you should pay some taxes to do so...That is only fair. THe entire liberterian belief system that government is evil and that we shouldn't have these taxes is insane and idiotic to the extreme. Most of the time the tax is raised with voters approval and that is the way it should work.

Our founders seen the need for the government to have the power to tax and that is a good thing. There's no question is can be abused but to act like we shouldn't invest in our own country is the height of Haitian idiocy.

Absolutely. And if people wanted to know, they could check to see how much infrastructure work paid by the federal gov costs the gov. You would find, if you looked at standard impartial sources, that the net cost is negative. Or, in other words, the national debt decreases by a fair amount with infrastructure spending. Because of the natural multipliers, which affect both government and private jobs. And, most of the work is done by private firms, So those are the workers and firms most benefiting.
Saying no, to infrastructure projects, by our congress, is short sited and stupid. Unless your purpose is to hurt the economy.

 

[AdvancingTime]

To the many who see government spending on infrastructure as a silver bullet for the economy and as a job creator I would like to raise a word of caution, It may be time for a "truth off'. More "bridges to nowhere" and wasted spending exist then the taxpayer could ever imagine. Often this spending falls short of creating real wealth for our country.

Where I live we recently replaced a major bridge that even the city's leading newspaper said did not need replacing. The newspaper had gone on to state the bridge did not "need" to be replaced, but only needed minor repairs. In the end they did not only replace the bridge but built a "super bridge" wasting a huge amount of money doing it. The article below is titled, "Infrastructure Spending No Silver Bullet", it explores this subject in more detail.

http://brucewilds.blogspot.com/2014/02/infrastructure-spending-no-silver-bullet.html

 

[Rshermr]

To the many who see government spending on infrastructure as a silver bullet for the economy and as a job creator I would like to raise a word of caution, It may be time for a "truth off'. More "bridges to nowhere" and wasted spending exist then the taxpayer could ever imagine. Often this spending falls short of creating real wealth for our country.

Where I live we recently replaced a major bridge that even the city's leading newspaper said did not need replacing. The newspaper had gone on to state the bridge did not "need" to be replaced, but only needed minor repairs. In the end they did not only replace the bridge but built a "super bridge" wasting a huge amount of money doing it. The article below is titled, "Infrastructure Spending No Silver Bullet", it explores this subject in more detail.

http://brucewilds.blogspot.com/2014/02/infrastructure-spending-no-silver-bullet.html

There are no "Silver Bullets". But there are much more authoritative sources for the effect of investing in infrastructure than Bruce Wilds, and his blog. Bruce Wild, who's credentials are non existent. Seems to be a contractor with conservative ideals. Why anyone would use a blog as a source for affirmation is a bit beyound rational.
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[Rshermr]

To the many who see government spending on infrastructure as a silver bullet for the economy and as a job creator I would like to raise a word of caution, It may be time for a "truth off'. More "bridges to nowhere" and wasted spending exist then the taxpayer could ever imagine. Often this spending falls short of creating real wealth for our country.

Where I live we recently replaced a major bridge that even the city's leading newspaper said did not need replacing. The newspaper had gone on to state the bridge did not "need" to be replaced, but only needed minor repairs. In the end they did not only replace the bridge but built a "super bridge" wasting a huge amount of money doing it. The article below is titled, "Infrastructure Spending No Silver Bullet", it explores this subject in more detail.

http://brucewilds.blogspot.com/2014/02/infrastructure-spending-no-silver-bullet.html

There are no "Silver Bullets". But there are much more authoritative sources for the effect of investing in infrastructure than Bruce Wilds, and his blog. Bruce Wild, who's credentials are non existent. Seems to be a contractor with conservative ideals. Why anyone would use a blog as a source for affirmation is a bit beyound rational.
NEXT