Blame employers, not workers

[Curmudgeoness]

This is something that I should have thought of before, but it is a revelation to me. It makes so much sense and I can go much further with my thoughts on this subject now that it is in my mind.

One of the hallmarks of the tepid economic recovery is something called a skills gap. Employers complain that they have jobs to fill and there is no one qualified to do them.

But the skills gap is a self-fulfilling fantasy conjured up by businesses and corporations to not only keep from hiring, but to place all of the burden of training for their jobs on individuals and the government. It’s another classic example of public costs and private profits.

I don't contest the fact that there are manufacturing jobs out there that require intense training. And I have no doubt that the majority of applicants lack the necessary qualifications. But to listen to right-wing politicians and their big business backers blame it on lazy Americans who don't want to work is a bridge too far.

See more at: http://www.cnhinews.com/cnhins_opinion/x2088953172/Blame-employers-not-workers-for-skills-gap#sthash.TaeMaChM.dpuf

[on point]

1. Exactly right. If employers supported and trained workers then no skill gaps

Since they started treating employees as disposable they have hollowed their companies and no longer have what they need. Short term profit rape is now biting them in the ass long term

[Curmudgeoness]

2. I am old enough to remember on-the-job training

and I don't know when this disappeared. But it did. Every applicant is expected to have paid for all their own education, whether it is college or trade school. In fact, trade schools have flourished to replace the training that used to be provided by companies. Then the student comes out of these schools, and cannot find jobs that pay enough to justify the school costs. The wages are about the same for the educated applicant as they used to be for the entry level employee who needed trained.

This is a crazy system we have today, and it will spiral out of control if something isn't done to rein it in.