Fuller Employment Depends on STEM

Why is it that we still have high unemployment (around 8%) and, at the same time have more than 3 million jobs available? I've talked about this problem in previous blogs.The acquisition of skills is the most important factor. Its not, as some "experts" say, that manufacturing jobs have declined over the past 30 to 40 years (Manufacturing jobs are down 40% from the peak in 1978 and are back to roughly where they were during World War II.)

But this does not mean that manufacturing is in decline. Manufacturing jobs are down because productivity has improved so much. We still produce as much or more than in the past, but with far fewer employees. We are still the number one manufacturing economy in the world and manufacturing shipments have about doubled in the past two and a half decades. By itself, manufacturing would be the ninth largest economy in the world. And, it could grow much more in the years ahead if some of those 3 million jobs could be filled.

Why aren't they being filled? The new and available high paying manufacturing jobs require serious skills and technical know-how, that many of the younger generation do not have, even if they possess a college education. The skills required for these new manufacturing jobs are sometimes called STEM skills -- knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math. Many in the younger generation will acquire these skills because that is where the money is. However, it will take time. But once skilled labor is back in the U.S., manufacturing will see massive gains over the next couple of decades.

The younger generation are going back to school in droves and piling up a lot of debt in the process. But if they are thinking that just having a degree is going to get them a job, they are wrong. They need skills that may not even require college. We need to encourage and direct our youth toward acquiring STEM skills.

GO FORTH and DO GOOD!

Sandy's Lesson

In the wake of the storm "Sandy," troubles are mounting. The devastation of flooded homes, fallen trees, even death are the horrible results of a disaster that comes with a violent storm. And in the following days, even greater troubles seem to arise. Shortages of gasoline, food, and potable water reach out and touch hundreds of thousands more. Then, the inconvenience of getting back to work with power outages, flooded subways and cold weather touch millions more in New Jersey and the New York City metro area.

It's in times like these where we reach out. Prayer is a powerful way to help. For many of us who are able, making a monetary gift is also a way to help. I know of one agency, Presbyterian Mission Agency that has created a separate account for Disaster Relief--2012 Superstorm (Sandy). The link is http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/pda/.

Even as we remember Sandy's victims and reach out to help, we must also remember our own blessings and the hope comes from the lessons of history. Disasters are not new. We learn. We will be better prepared for the next disaster and we'll learn from that. Just think of what would have happened if we had not learned to warn and evacuate people. The death toll would have been greater. And there are many other examples of lessons learned.

 

 But, perhaps the greatest lesson is what we realize about our own, personal state of affairs. And that is that we're doing pretty good. The great Athenian philosopher, Socrates was to have said, "If all misfortunes were laid in one common heap whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be contented to take their own and depart." And for those wishing to find a scriptural passage, I recommend Romans 8: 28. We know that God works all things for good.

 

Keep Calm and Carry On