WINDS OF CHANGE!

Many employers in larger industries know, but are failing to address the coming crisis of what could be the "great skilled labor shortage".

Technology,our economy and society are changing fast, those companies unable to change with it are falling by the wayside.

The days of the employee who retires from his lifelong career of one perhaps two jobs is over. Gone are the days of a company who stands behind its workers (for the most part) as is a worker who stands by their company.

It isn't only 65+ seniors who are leaving the workforce, they are bringing their skills with them! Not only that, but with outsourcing of many skilled jobs to overseas, and our political and financial climate here in the US, many new companies fail within their first 5 years.

Allot of people are entering fields in IT, or are entering schools in droves to pursue liberal arts, criminal justice, nursing or the English language, but hardly anyone is pursuing work or study in the arena of skilled trade. And what our technologically driven culture fails to realize is that machines will not be replacing plumbers, carpenters, or electrical line workers any time soon, and perhaps they never will. Even if robots take over the planet, they will still need repair, and repairing things takes skill!

Most of the people I've come across born around 2000 have zero interest in hard work, or skill development, and with the current way that things are going, I foresee a time coming soon where a plumber or welder will make the same if not more than a doctor or lawyer. Why? Supply and demand, and I don't need a doctorate, or a bar exam certificate to tell you why!

If you have a desire to learn a trade however, now is the time! It is not uncommon to become a certified welder within a year through a tech school and start out making $100,000 per year. And that wage trend is only increasing!

The other growing trend of panic to address skilled labor shortage are staffing agencies, who are growing exponentially, and for all the reasons above, it isn't only a good idea for employers trying to stay small and avoid the heavy investment in health insurance, training, and other benefits only to have their new employee quit in 3-6 months, its also good for the young people just now entering the workforce to find their niche, and jump to better wages nearly without consequence as far as work history is concerned.

In summary, technology won't replace the skills we in society need most from people, regardless of what some braniac happens to think. Allot is changing, but, no one calls a robot when their toilet overflows or their roof leaks, remember that.