Jobs in America

Why are there hundreds of companies in America with job openings that they can't fill? With thousands of Americas without jobs it would seem that the jobs would be filled with ease. They aren't filled because of what is now called the "skills gap". The jobs that are available are those that need a specific skill that most Americans don't have. We are a society that has always had jobs that were repetitive-jobs where we did exactly the same thing each and every day. We are a society that had jobs, good jobs that did not take much aptitude to do. Someone would take a couple of minutes, demonstrate how to do the job, and then we were on our own. It was easy, we put that same type part in place each and every day, and we typed the same letter to clients every day. We had it down and to top it off, we made a good salary. I would tell my students that the "good" jobs their parents had would not be there for them. I hate it, but I was correct.

Our jobs are becoming more and more skills oriented, and those that aren't are being eliminated. We all remember the video store, the sales clerk and some of us remember the human at the end of the telephone conversation. How much longer before fast food decides they can make a hamburger without human assistance.

According to one company, they have thousands of jobs and many applicants. The applicants are given a series of test, but less than 10% of the applicants pass the test and are deemed to have enough mechanical skills to be trained for the jobs. The test is over math, science, reading and mechanical aptitude.

A recent report by Manpower states that 52% of American companies are having trouble finding qualified applicants to fill positions. There are jobs, but we must have the qualifications for them. Our schools are constantly telling students they must go to college and/or to do what they have a passion for as a career. With the cost of college getting higher and higher, many students have to assist in the cost-a skill can help them pay for college. A skill can assist them in their passion which may in all reality become a hobby that their job affords them the opportunity to do.

I too remember when you could just walk into a store and get a job-no more. There are jobs to be had, but we must get the skills. The companies need to step up and offer classes to assist in training qualified workers. Companies need to start with those that are looking for employment now, and then work with the schools to grow their own for the future. It is a win, win situation for all.