Replacing Technically Skilled Workers: Challenges and Suggestions

Throughout the early 1900s, the United States could either find technically skilled workers based upon their backgrounds or was able to train workers quickly. Farmers, military personnel, and other sources of skilled workers were available to fill the needs of the workforce. These sources of readily available skilled workers are no longer as common, and the educational system is not preparing the number of graduates seen during the 1970s and 1980s. A survey conducted by Jasinowski (2001) for the National Association of Manufacturers revealed that in 2001 more that 80 percent of manufacturers reported a shortage of qualified job candidates despite the recession in manufacturing and the economic downturn overall. Jasinowski further indicated that demographic experts predict that the industries in the US will need up to 12 million skilled workers before 2020, despite an increase in 18-24 year olds through 2015. In this article, the authors offer some insights and suggestions that will help ensure the future workforce in the United States be fully prepared to compete in the global market. They further emphasize the need for the establishment of a National Standard for industrial maintenance workers. This will help improve the processes for preparing students for the workforce and thus exposing them to industrial processes, tools, equipment, and the knowledge to enhance their skills and succeed in industry.