Thursday, June 21, 2007
American Manufacturing
Interesting analysis of the trend of American manufacturing over the last twenty years or so. One key points was that while the number of jobs in manufacturing are down(about 14 million now from 17 million in 1998), wages are up and women are a greater percentage of manufacturing workers now than they were ten years ago. (Although the total number of women employed is smaller.) Another factor we have mentioned here before that is repeated in the article is the importance of skilled manufacturing workers in the future. Technically trained employees are becoming a scarce resource and will become more so:
Finally, the U.S. remains the world leader in manufacturing. Even with fewer workers, improvements in efficiency and productivity allow the American economy to stay in the lead.
However, as production becomes more specialized and more reliant on precision machining, there is concern of a widening skills gap between what young people are learning in school and the specific needs of manufacturers. According to a NAM/Deloitte Consulting study, 80% of manufacturers anticipate a shortage of skilled production workers over the next couple years, while 35% believe there will also be shortage of scientists and engineers.
Finally, the U.S. remains the world leader in manufacturing. Even with fewer workers, improvements in efficiency and productivity allow the American economy to stay in the lead.
In any event, the United States remains the largest manufacturer in the world in terms of total output, and while the country faces numerous challenges both domestic and abroad, that No. 1 status is not likely to change any time soon.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Fathers Day
Here's an interesting article appropriate for Fathers Day from the Wall Street Journal editorial page. These are difficult times for understanding masculinity and the article makes a good shot at understanding the facets of what makes a father. An excerpt:
Update: Don't miss this linked article from Mr. Woodlief's blog about a son and his fathers. Yes, you read that right. Read the article and you'll understand.
What I'm discovering is that as I try to guide these ornery, wild-hearted little boys toward manhood, they are helping me become a better man, too. I love my sons without measure, and I want them to have the father I did not. As I stumble and sometimes fail, as I feign an interest in camping and construction and bugs, I become something better than I was.I was already familiar with Mr. Woodlief from his blog. You may enjoy reading more of his material. For a humorous sample from a few years ago, see here. It's an apparently true account of a place where initiative and common sense won the day over bureaucracy. The current blog has several posts appropriate for the day. Scroll down and enjoy.
Update: Don't miss this linked article from Mr. Woodlief's blog about a son and his fathers. Yes, you read that right. Read the article and you'll understand.
