Good help hard to find for manufacturers

[NeoConsSuck]

Maybe the new * initiative should be "No factory worker left behind"

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/manufacturing/2004-04-16-manufacturring-help_x.htm

Manufacturers across the USA are having problems finding qualified employees, even though millions of factory workers lost jobs in recent years.
The most recent evidence of this came Thursday in a survey of 119 manufacturers in the Mid-Atlantic region. More than half of the 93 firms that hired in the last three months said finding workers with the right skills was difficult, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said.

"The manufacturing industry, despite all the changes, is still experiencing a very hard time finding qualified workers," says Phyllis Eisen, head of the education, training and research arm of the National Association of Manufacturers. One member firm in Chicago recently tried to hire 20 workers but found only five qualified people, she says.

Larry Kensington, president of Kentwood, Mich.-based Bananza Air Management Systems, sifted through scores of résumés to hire three workers this year. One of his biggest gripes: Job applications riddled with spelling errors. "They can't even express themselves in a simple sentence," he says, noting employees need to be able to write so they can fill out quality-control data and other reports.

[Another Bill C.]

1. Typical propaganda

I've seen a lot of articles like this. They don't give any data that would back up the story -- like pay, locations, requirements, etc.

If they're looking for a highly literate machinist with years of CNC experience to relocate in their area for $7.50 an hour, I guess I'd agree that they'll have a hard time filling the job.

[ronatchig]

2. Exactly right,

Bill. This tripe is usual bullshit. It's not mentioned what the criteria is for "qualified" is. The truth is that employers have an open book on applicants histories i.e. criminal background, work history- ever told a asshole boss to shove it?- financial history, etc. So if one is not lily white pure and trained to step in and know the job perfectly at half the fair wage then your an unfit candidate

[Nobody]

3. Wanted: Web designer

You must have 15+ years of experience with Java, 10+ years Linux experience, certifications on Mac and Microsoft operating systems, and 10 years of web design experience or equivalent.

I've seen jobs with requirements like these. They want experience dating from a time when the technology didn't exist.

It's akin to looking for an astronaut to travel to Mars, but you have to have been there before.

[Mithras61]

11. Sounds like a lot of what I'm seeing...

Wanted: 10+ years experience with Windows 2000, 4 year degree in IT related field, experience & certifications on both Windows & Unix/Linux.

Compensation: $17/hour

Here's one of their "jobs they can't fill," and who's surprised by that? I make more than twice that writing training materials. Why would I even CONSIDER a position with higher requireements & less pay? Even if I lost my job, I'd be looking for at least equivalent pay...

[NeoConsSuck]

23. You know what's really good..

when they say you need to Windows, Unix, Linux, C++, C#, VB and then to really make you shake your head, they throw in bunch of 3rd party proprietary software languages that maybe 10 people on the planet are familiar with.

There was a programming site once that had a link on how to spot a phoney want-ad. I never clicked it, I wish I had.

I'm employed now, but there's no guarantees.

[paper chase guy]

27. cripes, YES

I have this problem, except I'm just out of college and can't find anything to actually start in. Nothing is entry level, and when it is, the requirements are so crazy and specialized that no entry level person could fulfill them. I apply for the ones I feel qualified enough for (and I'm sure dozens of other people do as well) and then see the same ones pop back up onto listings over and over. It's ridiculous.

So, after 4 months of this, my friend is offering to get me a job at his casino for $12 an hour :) It's a start.

[cleofus1]

12. you forgot the last two always present requirements

you must be able to lift at least 50 lbs. and have a clean driving record!

[progressivebydesign]

21. "lift at least 50 pounds" insidious little requirement..

.. it's the legal way of saying No to most females, older people, and anyone with chronic back problems or diabilities. Whether you TRULY do lift 50 pounds plus...

[snooper2]

18. Your a little overboard on your requirements...

But I know people who have experience like that and they still can't get a job.

[NashVegas]

8. Well ..

I've worked with BAs who can't spell.

But hey! It's hip to be dumb, and who needs to know how to spell when we have MS word?

[LincolnMcGrath]

9. My Co. requires college degrees now

for all managers. So we have a bevy of twenty-somethings. The old non degreed bosses are still there doing the kiddies work, the kiddies attend meetings all day.

The article is Corporate HR Propaganda Hogwash, if they (Applicants)are not that bright, make them management like we did in the old days!!

[progressivebydesign]

22. Degress, unless you are in a specialized field, are useless.

They are NOT a measure of success. They are, however, the way for companies to whittle down the amount of resume's they receive and review. With most jobs garnering 100's of resumes, it's a quick way to shorten the stack. Most companies now have scanning software that look for education info electronically, then simply ignore the ones without it.. regardless of what experience that person has. But I guess they figure a 20-something degreed person costs less to insure, and will accept less in salary and benefits.

Bottom line.. it's all the bottom line. How else can they pay CEOs 512 TIMES the lowest paid worker at their companies?? And enrich their Board of Directors and key stockholders???

[NeoConsSuck]

10. Look at the how the HTML page is spelled..

Put your cursor (mouse) over the link, and check out how they spelled 'manufacturing'. It incorrectly contains two "R"'s.

Maybe USAToday can do a followup story about web content editors :)

[NashVegas]

13. LMAO

For what it's worth - do you remember the Heaven's Gate cult, and more specifically, the spoof site that rose up in the wake of their mass suicide? The spoofers included the line "real webmasters don't use spell-check."

[sniffa]

4. mcdonaLds can't find good heLp

the manufacturing industry is hurting.

[Mel]

5. Yea, Right....

<snip>Larry Kensington, president of Kentwood, Mich.-based Bananza Air Management Systems</snip>
It appears the reporter did not spell the companies name correctly it's Bonanza.
Bwah! haa! ha! and look at what Larry is crying about spelling errors!

I do not buy this propaganda it sounds like a let's blame the worker article to me I wonder what wage Larry and the rest of the whiners are willing to pay their workers?

If these companies have so much technology aren't the workers going to write these reports on a computer? H e l l o spell check, Larry.

<snip>Employers say it goes beyond skill, saying they are having problems with work ethics, which slipped during the economic boom of the late 1990s. That's as a surprise, considering nearly 3 million manufacturing jobs have been cut in the last four years. </snip>

I can tell them why they are having problems with 'work ethics' it's because workers are getting sick of watching their jobs go overseas, low wages for them and the CEO's making out like bandits, and the clowns running these companies expect more and don't pony up and give workers their fair share. We are not their slaves even though they'd sure like us to be!
Sorry Mister Candy Man (channeling Randi) you don't get something for nothing Mister Candy Man you aren't going to break some us Mister Candy Man!

[havocmom]

15. Another 'work ethic' problem: kids of people hit by the Reagan/Bush I era

mergers that resulted in mass lay off of employees who suddenly became 'redundant' in the new corporate line ups.

These people had kids who saw how their parents were 'rewarded' for diligence, hard work and years of loyalty to their employers. Those kids are now grown, out of college and in the work force. Willing to bet most of them recall the way companies treated their parents and rightly conclude the companies deserve only as much devotion and loyalty as they show their workers.

The kids who were really young in the 80s probably aren't as well versed on the merger frenzy effects and are too often blinded by the razzle dazzle pitch of companies offering the moon if they come on as 'management' and give up any hope of bargaining/overtime and the few protections left to rank and file employees. They come on like the rookie ballplayer who just knows he will hit out of the park and become a star. Sadly, they don't notice that the outfield walls are constantly being made higher.

[daa]

25. Why did you have to remind me

that I was downsized in a leveraged buyout under the first goofy Bush? Then while Clinton was Prez I had a damn good living. Now with goofier Bush the jr. my job was sent to India. Repukes are bad for real people. If you have wealth they are you r guys but if you live on income they are disastrous.

[T Bone]

6. Whats the payscale and working conditions for this job

Does Kensington know the quality of candidates might reflect what he wants to pay to fill the position ? Does he know his workplace has a "reputation" (good, bad, ugly, nice?) in the community that might be effecting the quality of the candidates who walk in the door? Is Kensington aware that other manufacturers and employees leaving the area just might effect the quality of the candidates walking into his place of employment ?

He should. Each of them might be making a difference.

[Corgigal]

7. Good help hard to find for manufacturers

who only want to pay 10 dollars a day without benefits BUT all tax breaks. "Right Skills", yeah it's manufacturing, normally a OJT class and a few months of supervision and you're on your way.

[teryang]

14. The employers' attitudes are ridiculous

...except in sales. In sales they almost don't care what you did before (short of a felony) as long as you have or can get whatever type of license you might need. That is because it's understood that they are churning the workers anyway.

Other sectors are hypocritical. They are hiring you for much less than what you used to make and then become hypercritical. They question why your resume isn't perfect. It makes you want to say, if you want a perfect resume, I think you need to triple your offer.

The funny thing thing is they are doing the productivity thing, every job is the most demanding grinder kind of work and they wonder why they can't get anyone good or why the good people quit after two months.

There is no employer loyalty to employees. But employees are supposed to be punctual, diligent, loyal and competent at all times. They can't understand why it isn't happening.

[sam sarrha]

16. well that says volumes about the failed monopoly public school system

[Gin]

17. This is Bull S**t....I worked with safety trainers in Manufacturing...

"American workers can't spell and are not qualified"...because they will not work for low wages that the illegals are willing to work for.

The trainers (country wide) have whole work forces that can't speak English..let alone spell..and the law (OSHA) only requires them to have (one) Spanish speaking person on the crew to show them what to do and explain the policies.

It's all about money...nothing more..nothing less....Don't buy into the hype!

[progressivebydesign]

19. How about a PhD to do retail management???????

Target company is doing a MASS face-to-face interview, by invitation only in our area. In order to qualify for a "team leader" position. You MUST have a 4-year degree (in anything), PREFERRED??? MBA AND PhD!!!!!!!!!! To do fucking retail management??? I'm sure all of those people with doctorates are really jazzed at the prospect of making 30k a year.. but hey, you get a nice discount on crappy stuff made in Maylasia.

[Lindacooks]

20. Chimp need not apply

'"They can't even express themselves in a simple sentence," he says, noting employees need to be able to write so they can fill out quality-control data and other reports.'

Gee, wouldn't that disqualify chimpy for a manufacturing job??

[Blue_Tires]

24. in journalism:

job i recently inquired about in Miami

Reporter wanted for bi-lingual daily paper, fluent english, spanish and/or portuguese. Travel required 20 percent of the time. Must have 3(!) years experience at a daily paper. Compensation: Low 20s!!!!! No relocation provided

Now..I work for a second-rate weekly, and the cost of living where i am is generally low...I have 2 years exp., and even that pays 26K/yr...and this guy wants me to take less to live in Miami (a job that I'm not really required for, anyways). I wanted to tell that editor straight up that his job would NOT be filled, unless you're hiring someone from a third world country...most major dailies start off in the 30s, depending on city.

[Redleg]

26. Yeah- and many of my business students can't spell or write for shit

either. The manufacturing industry has been very anti-worker for a long time.

[brokensymmetry]

28. Oooh, maybe the pugs can get more L1 visas!

And a bunch more H1B's to!

Mustn't raise the pay for workers - we've got to save that so we can pay $20,000,000 (plus bonuses) to the CEO. (And no, I'm not exaggerating. If you don't believe it, check out what public companies pay the CEO).