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Wanted: Skilled Workers, Smart Managers
Sometimes it seems like year-end is not only Holiday time, it’s the time for surveys. In fact, we’ve got one of our own—a look at the issues facing contract paint, powder and e-coat shops, and how they’re dealing with them—coming up in the December print PF. Look for it in the next couple of weeks.
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| JIM DESTEFANI, Editor Contact me |
Meanwhile, in the spirit of too much is never enough, we’ll report the results of another survey here. This one, which polled 166 manufacturing executives, dealt with the question of what are the biggest factors weighing down the U.S. economy.
The answer was a bit surprising. It wasn’t the credit crunch, the weak dollar or tax policies, which were cited by 7%, 10% and 11% of survey respondents, respectively. The No. 1 issue identified by respondents was the lack of skilled labor and knowledgeable managers (27%).
The poll, sponsored by the trade associations that put on the Fabtech International and American Welding Society trade shows, also asked what could be done to alleviate this problem. Not surprisingly, leading the way here by a wide margin was competitive pay, which was cited by 58%. More parental and teacher encouragement ranked second at 27%, followed by offering more relevant science and math programs in high school and college (23%) and greater use of computer and high tech skills (22%).
There’s a lot of fear and uncertainty about the economy and business conditions in the finishing industry right now, and it might be tempting to hunker down and try to ride things out. A better idea might be to invest in your workforce through extra training. You might come out the other side of the current economic mess in better shape than when you went in. |
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Share your views, win an Amazon gift certificate UESTION Do you see a shortage of skilled labor for manufacturing? What do you think can or should be done about it? Let us know and you’ll have a chance to win a $50 Amazon.com gift card. Click here to respond |
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Digital Dispatch readers who responded were united in their opposition to the bailout, and in their feeling that it might have only a temporary positive effect, if any. “Looks like the bailout was just a big piggy bank for Congress’ excessive spending,” wrote Emerson Electric’s Jackie Urbanski. Other responses were along the same lines but, for summing things up in one concise sentence, we’ll give Jackie the $50 Amazon.com gift card just in time for Holiday shopping. Congratulations Jackie, and thanks to all who responded. |
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