Our workforce is not prepared to perform the tasks that need to be done

Feb. 4, 2003 - In his book, IMPENDING CRISIS: TOO MANY JOBS, TOO FEW PEOPLE, lead-author Joyce Gioia points out that the workers of today and tomorrow lack needed knowledge and skills. The projected shortage of 10 million skilled workers will be exacerbated by the insufficient capacity of available personnel. "We don´t just need warm bodies. We need people who can get the job done for us," says Herman. "We need people with specific skills, expertise, background, experience, training, education, and attitude.

In recent research conducted by The Herman Group, 65 percent of employers surveyed reported that they had difficulty filling at least two jobs requiring skilled workers. This research was conducted in late 2002, during a slow economy with unemployment hovering around six percent. Human resource professionals responsible for employment explained that they had been unable to find qualified candidates.

"We describe this predicament as competency deficit. People who are available to work today, on the whole, don´t have what´s needed to get the job done," says Gioia. "And, as we move into the future, they´ll have even less capacity to do tomorrow´s jobs. The cause of the problem is straightforward: Inadequate education and training. Simply put, our workforce is not prepared to perform the tasks that need to be done."

Our public schools are not doing an adequate job of preparing young people for work and employers are dissatisfied with the level of capability of today´s high school graduates. Some young people are graduating without even the basic literacy and numeracy skills. Community and technical colleges, a vital part of our system for preparing young people for careers and life, is at risk. Incredibly, with demand increasing, as state budgets are squeezed, these schools are cutting their programs.

To solve this deficit Gioia believes that we will see corporations partnering with high schools, vocational schools, community colleges and universities for mutual benefit, enabling students to enjoy a powerful combination of academic preparation and real-world experience. Corporations may collaborate with graduate schools, helping them remain relevant, while increasing involvement in continual learning. To support increasing interest in individual development, expect to see more in-house corporate learning, including emphasis on business literacy.

Joyce Gioia is a Strategic Business Futurist concentrating on workplace and workplace trends. She can be reached directly at (336) 282-9370 or via email atjoyce@hermangroup.com For more information, to receive a review copy, or to interview the authors of IMPENDING CRISIS: Too Many Jobs, Too Few People, please contact Cindy Kazan at (414) 352-3535 or via email at cindy@communik-pr.com

"This is an important book. Joyce Gioia offers insight on the future of managing a critical corporate resource --- talent."

Richard J. Semenik, Ph.D. Dean, College of Business, Montana State

University
Contaact:
Cindy Kazan
President, Communi-K, Inc.
(414) 352-3535
fax: (414) 352-2331
cindy@communik-pr.com