Letters to the Editor
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These stories are old
These types of stories are becoming very tiresome.
I'm a millwright and skilled maintenance foreman and while I've seen a strong need for skilled trades workers across the board,I've seen little in the way of effort by American companies to rectify this situation.
Companies are loathe to cross-train existing skilled workers (even though the training could alleviate some of their current staffing issues);they attempt to hire skilled employees from their competitors (at best a short-term solution as it creates a potential bidding war by employees) and most companies don't invest money in high school shop programs (where I and most other skilled tradespeople got our start)that will ensure that the skilled workers that are need will be available.
The problem isn't so much the youth of today (frankly,the thought of being a linesman and climbing 50+ foot towers daily in all types of weather is daunting to MOST people) they're no lazier or less motivated than my generation.
The problem is with greedy and shortsighted companies wringing their hands and moaning rather than finding and enacting effective solutions to existing and future problems.