Shortage of Skilled Trade Workers

[Armistead]

I hear so much news about unemployment. Why visiting my father in Charlotte NC, read in the paper that building was slowing from a simple lack of skilled trade workers. If fact, over 3000 skilled trade jobs needed to be filled there alone. The strange fact, studies stated there were 1000's of skilled trade workers sitting at home not applying for the jobs. getting unemployment, food stamps, etc. I was shocked to find this issue existed in many states, incuding Michigan.

Course many factors are involved. One complaint is wages have decreased year after year. If builders/manufacts. really wanted to fill these jobs, they would increase wages/benefits. In the last 3 years, CEO's and corporate managers wages have increased 40%, why the average worker wages have decreased 12-20%. A bigger issue, the youth of America simply don't want to do these jobs. Many of these jobs were done by illegals who are now scared to fill them as before.

Nothing wrong with a skilled trade. I worked with my hands for 12 years before I became a pencil pusher.