The New Reality: Rising Demand for Technical Workers

By: Matthew McClellan
By: Matthew McClellan

Is the way we measure success in need of a little, "rewiring"?" There's a growing movement that seems to say, yes.

"600,000 industrial jobs, technical jobs are going unfilled right now,"says

They're calling t the skills gap. Companies will need an estimated 10 million skilled workers by 2020. That's factory workers, bricklayers, welders and so on.

They're jobs that require a skill not a bachelor's degree. Yet many still see a 4-year degree as the best path for most people.

"We believed that if you had a four year degree from a good college you'd always have a job and wouldn't have to worry about anything,"

Those who disagree say that line of thinking looks a little bit like this conveyor belt churning out graduates with degrees but without the skills needed for today's evolving job market.

" Oftentimes when we go into the classroom we'll explain to students that i can call the plummer to work on my plumbing system and he makes more in two hours than i make in an hour and that's a two year degree and trade program."

While recent college grads struggle to find employment, technical fields are producing jobs that are fueling the economy.

That's why at the age of 40, Steven Swihart decided to change careers and started taking electrical tech classes.

"Here, in the first semester, the industry found me. i got on with michiLan. i'll graduate with zero debt and a full time job."

As an electrical troubleshooter, he'll earn a salary of more than $50,000.

After seeing the growing demand for skilled workers Richard sanders began taking classes in air conditioning and refrigeration.

"I think people are getting out there and seeing that a career in basic stuff is what's keeping us going."

But even more than that, he says being there for the ones he loves is the biggest payoff.

"It'll keep me more grounded in my family's lives more. i've explained to my daughters that they can come to a 2 year college and get their basics out of the way. they see that i can do it and the kids look up to me."

As Richard and Steven work toward better lives for their families.

They're also setting an example for a more skills-driven career in a rapidly changing labor environment.

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