Running Theme: Shortage of Skilled Workers

Have you noticed lately how the “shortage of skilled workers” is becoming a critical and urgent theme? Rightly so, manufacturing is expected to grow, but many industries are concerned that they will not have enough skilled workers to maintain it.

• This supplier is doubling it’s plant, and will soon need 200+ more workers.
• This well-known manufacturer can’t find skilled workers fast enough.
• This teacher is concerned that not enough students are available for opportunities from industry.
• And this article states that as many as 2 million may go unfilled in the next decade due to the skills gap!

What is causing this problem? What can be done to fix it?

This Congressman has introduced a bill package to address the skills gap.

What do you think? What is the best way to address this problem? How should industry get involved? What can teachers do? We’d love to hear your thoughts!