We've spent a lot of time lately talking about the schizophrenic job market in Northeast Ohio. Unemployment is above the national average and incomes are below the norm. Yet, thousands of jobs are available, including many in the manufacturing sector. One only has to read the newspaper to know manufacturing operations are continuing to close. So how can it be that manufacturers can't find workers?
The Associated Press takes a look at that issue with a story that's being published around the country and its focused on Northeast Ohio. You can read the whole story here.
Here are the first few graphs:
CLEVELAND - Michael Starr was laid off in mid-career from his factory job and found himself back in the classroom to upgrade his skills - for a new high-tech manufacturing environment struggling to find workers.
Working in industry today "is not like the old days: get a hammer and fix it," the 45-year-old said.
Starr was laid off Jan. 15 from his sheet-metal working job in suburban Medina. He has enrolled in a Lorain County Community College program to take courses in computers, math, machining, industrial blueprint reading, advanced computerized numerical controlled milling and job-search and study skills.
When he showed up in class, "I was terrified, (like) training an old dog new tricks," he said.
The nation has shed 5 million manufacturing jobs in three decades, but higher-skill factory jobs like Starr's goal increasingly go unfilled as employers deal with applicants with poor reading and math abilities and a bad attitude about blue-collar work.
The National Association of Manufacturers says the skill shortages have hurt production and the ability to meet customer demands.
