Crafting craftspeople

Have you recently tried to hire a machinist, a welder, an electrician or any other type of craftsperson? If so, you likely believe that it is harder than ever. Metalworking professionals are in a difficult situation, and it does not take a Nobel Prize-winning economist to recognize that this is a classic Keynesian problem of supply and demand.

Multiple media outlets and government sources would have us believe that these circumstances are a result of record-low unemployment and older workers leaving the market. However, positive economic conditions — depending on how the coronavirus continues to play out in the months ahead — and retiring baby boomers simply have exacerbated a situation that has existed for a long time. The industry just is not creating an adequate number of personnel to support the need.

Demand for craftsmen and craftswomen is high. Countless openings for toolmakers, machinists and every other type of craft are listed on job boards. Talk to any manufacturing operations leader, and he or she will confirm the demand. Listen to news reports, and you will hear small-business owners discuss limiting business expansion because they do not have access to enough skilled labor. The problem threatens the economy and industrial machine that made the United States the wealthiest country in the world.

Finding Solutions

So how do manufacturers fix the problem?

First, they need to strengthen vocational education programs beginning in high schools. Having high-quality equipment and well-developed classrooms that represent real-life manufacturing is important, and industry should push government leaders to adequately fund the programs. Also, business leaders must commit resources to support vocational education in communities and encourage government representatives to appropriate funding.

Apprenticeships are the most traditional way for young people to gain work-related knowledge outside a classroom, but too few of these programs are offered to supply the number of needed workers.

Money for high school vocational programs is valuable, but it does no good to have well-funded but poorly attended programs. Schools and businesses must start to promote the benefits of an effective vocational education and well-developed skills. Students should visit advanced manufacturing facilities, talk to employees and be given an opportunity to experience industrial elements like machining, automation, pneumatics, hydraulics and electronics. Essentially, students need to be allowed to play and experiment with these areas in an educational setting to help develop interest.