Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Shortage of Skilled Trade Workers Crippling Some Industries

Annual hiring in trades is expected to be more than 20 times the projected annual increase in net new jobs.

According to a recent study by management consulting firm McKinsey, from 2022 to 2032, annual hiring in trades is expected to be more than 20 times the projected annual increase in net new jobs, costing companies more than $5.3 billion annually.

Part of the issue of the dearth of skilled trade workers needed for jobs is the stigma attached to choosing that career path over college, according to Kevin Koehler, the president of the Construction Association of Michigan.

"Obviously, that's an issue with students coming out of high school. What they don't realize is that trade jobs offer complete benefits, with some providing over $100,000 a year to provide for your family," he told The Epoch Times.

According to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, skilled trade positions alone will account for about 47,000 annual job openings through 2028.

Mr. Koehler says one of the more significant factors he's seen is the lack of emphasis on skilled trades in many high schools nationwide, including Michigan.

"We're doing a lot of advocacy and are constantly in front of the Michigan Legislature, asking for money to support some of these things. Listen, students need to be told they're going to come out of these trade programs with a certificate to get a job and not $124,000 in debt at college." The dilemma of a lack of skilled trade workers is affecting multiple industries, including homebuilders trying to add to the depleted inventory in the United States.

"There's a lot of electronics involved and mechanics have to learn programming. You can't even fix brakes on some cars now without knowing how to turn off the electronics to get to them. Kids are still being pushed to go to college and not to learn trades." Recruiting for PMR has become so difficult that the company is now posting job listings in Chicago, more than five hours away from Marion. 

https://www.theepochtimes.com/business/shortage-of-skilled-trade-workers-crippling-some-industries-5664577?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=ZeroHedge&src_src=partner&src_cmp=ZeroHedge

No comments: