Skilled workers such as electricians, carpenters and welders are in short supply, resulting in another obstacle to the global economic recovery, according to a research paper by Manpower Inc (MAN.N).
“It becomes a real choke-point in future economic growth,” said Jeff Joerres, Manpower Chief Executive. “We believe strongly this is really an issue in the labor market”.
Skilled work is usually specific to a given location: the work cannot move, so the workers have to and the global staffing company says employers, governments and trade groups need to collaborate on strategic migration policies to alleviate worker shortages.
In their survey of 35,000 employers, Manpower found the shortage of skilled workers is the number one or two hiring challenge in six of the 10 biggest economies.
However, Manpower argues the long-term solution is to change attitudes toward skilled trades rather than rely on the short-term solution of migration.
Parents have been told since the 1970s that a university degree was the only track to a financially secure profession.
But all of the skilled trades offer a career path with an almost assured income, Joerres said, and make it possible to open one’s own business.
Older, experienced workers are retiring and their younger replacements often do not have the right training because their schools are out of touch with modern business needs, according to Manpower.
There is also a social stigma attached to such work, but with recession and persistent high unemployment in the USA, parents and young people entering the workforce may reconsider their options.
