Now that the “Bush’s fault” excuse is getting a bit dated, liberal economists are starting to push alternative alibis.
For example, journalist-economist Robert Sameulson says there’s a Great Jobs Mismatch causing “structural unemployment”:
In any dynamic economy, constant changes in technologies, products and companies naturally create gaps between skills available and skills wanted.
A survey for the National Association of Manufacturers … found that companies still faced shortages … for engineers and scientists and among aerospace, defense and biotechnology firms.
For skilled blue-collar jobs, high schools have de-emphasized vocational training, community colleges often aren’t well-connected to local job markets, and union apprenticeship programs have withered
“The number one cause for difficulty in filling positions (cited by 45 percent of companies) is lack of sufficient experience.” So it’s a Catch-22: You can’t get hired unless you have experience; but you can’t get experience unless you’re hired.
Americans are less willing to move to take jobs. The McKinsey study reports that, in the 1950s, one in five Americans moved every year; now it’s one in 10. “Work is more mobile than workers,”
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Ken Asks:
If it’s a matter of workers being underskilled, why are there “now hiring” signs in box retailers and fast-food joints?
Why aren’t there more pick-up trucks in the parking lot of Anne Arundel Community College – which offers a deep catalog of vocational courses?
Why aren’t construction sites operated 7 X 24 – using multiple crews working around the clock? Would get jobs done fater and emplyee more people …
Why won’t people fish where the fish are – e.g. move from, say, Detroit to Texas?
Does anybody really believe that no American citizens would take the jobs currently occupied by illegals?
The Homa Files 