The Shortage in Skilled Labor Continues Across the United States

Many businesses in the manufacturing sector are seeing overall recovery in the area of sales. The consumer market is strengthening, leading to more demand for the products and components created in manufacturing plants around the U.S. Unfortunately, many businesses in this sector are also facing an acute shortage in skilled labor.

The ongoing skilled labor shortage has led to problems for many manufacturing businesses. Unable to meet the demands of consumers, such factories must either pay hefty overtime wages to a smaller employee base or cut back on their market reach. Of course, downsizing business operations during a time of potential growth is not only distasteful to business leaders, but also problematic.

Businesses forced to downsize their manufacturing operations when there is still demand for their products are likely to fight an uphill battle for recovery once the skilled labor market returns. The only real answer to this serious business issue is to encourage more individuals to pursue vocational training as skilled laborers. The more skilled laborers who can enter the workforce, the quicker the manufacturing sector as a whole can regain its previous glory.

Benefits to Workers

There are many benefits to becoming a skilled laborer. Welders, in particular, enjoy an excellent job outlook. They work in many industries and have the flexibility to move to almost any state in which work is available. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that welders and allied workers are employed consistently in every state. The BLS predicts a general rise in the demand for welders, which is commensurate with the current shortage in skilled labor.

With all the benefits of working in skilled labor, what could be behind the current shortage? Some sociologists have noted that increased pressure in high schools for all students to continue on to college has hurt recruitment for technical schools. Budget cutbacks in schools have also led to cutbacks in vocational training, meaning that fewer students are exposed to skilled trades at an early age.

Individuals can train to become a professional welder in a relatively short period of time. Specialized schools, like Tulsa Welding School in Tulsa, OK and Jacksonville, FL, teach the art of welding and help students prepare for real-life employment in a variety of workplaces. Welders typically enjoy job stability and decent wages. They can generally join labor unions and may be offered medical benefits, depending upon their workplace.

Welders are also offered the flexibility to train for special trades. Some welders specialize in construction, while others learn the art of marine welding and repair water-going vessels. Individuals trained in welding can take advantage of the shortage in skilled labor to build strong, life-long careers in manufacturing and allied industries.

Contact Tulsa Welding School

For information on Tulsa Welding School’s training programs, please contact us today. In as little as seven months you can train for a new career in a skilled trade.

Resources:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/us-manufacturing-sees-shortage-of-skilled-factory-workers/2012/02/17/gIQAo0MLOR_story.html http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/redirect/welcome.asp http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes514121.htm#nat