Skilled Labor Shortage Frustrates Employers - Thousands of Manufacturing Jobs Going Unfilled

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(CBS) Job openings at businesses fell to 2.54 million in June from 2.6 million in May, meaning there is now five unemployed workers on average for every job opening.

There's a brighter spot in manufacturing, where some companies are looking for workers, CBS News Correspondent Cynthia Bowers reports.

On a quick tour of her family's factory, Linda Fillingham proudly shows off employees making the metal parts that go into some of America's biggest machines.

What's holding her machine shop back isn't a shortage of work. Instead, it's a shortage of workers, whom she's willing to pay $13 to $18 an hour.

"Thirty to 40 we could use right now," Fillingham said.

And she's not alone. The government says there are 227,000 open manufacturing jobs, more than double the number a year ago. One hundred eighty-three thousand have been created since December, the strongest seven-month streak in a decade.

Fillingham said it's hard to fill these jobs because they require people who are good at math, good with their hands and willing to work on a factory floor.

She's had to resort to paying people to learn on the job, like 25-year-old Matthew McDannel. The average manufacturing worker is more than twice his age.

"Maybe the work's too hard," said McDannel. "Maybe it's too hot. Maybe people just think about it and they're just, like, 'Oh, I don't want to do that.'"

By the year 2012 it's estimated this country will be three million skilled workers short, and it's not just in manufacturing sector. A recent survey found 22 percent of American businesses say they are ready to hire if they can find the right people.

"They're dipping their toes in the water, seeing if it's the right time to hire, but you also have potential employees doing the same thing and testing that employer to see if it's the right place for them," careerbuilder.com's Jason Ferrara said.

Fillingham hopes to convince a new generation that manufacturing jobs aren't a part of the past but instead the foundation of the future.

"You need to come up to bat and play the game if you want to be in it," said Fillingham. "It's there if you want to do it."

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/08/11/eveningnews/main6764731.shtml?tag=mncol;lst;3

[mawilson 2,133]

What's holding her machine shop back isn't a shortage of work. Instead, it's a shortage of workers, whom she's willing to pay $13 to $18 an hour.

"Thirty to 40 we could use right now," Fillingham said.

You want 30 to 40 workers? Pay them $30-40 an hour and you'll suddenly find lots of skilled candidates.

[BishopM 114]

Interesting...

When I was in my 20s I worked on the factory floor for 10 years while going to college to get my business degree. As a result, I thoroughly understood business/manufacturing by the time I graduated which has been invaluable in my professional career. However, it seems like alot of young people today aren't willing to take this route any longer...which is a shame. To me it seems like a lot of young people could get a good practical experience in a company such as this while taking classes at the same time.

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You want 30 to 40 workers? Pay them $30-40 an hour and you'll suddenly find lots of skilled candidates.

It's a fair point. The market sets wages and if she can't fill her positions at the wages she's offering then clearly the market has spoken and she needs to man-up.

[BishopM 114]

You want 30 to 40 workers? Pay them $30-40 an hour and you'll suddenly find lots of skilled candidates.

Well...that is a pretty good point too. I kinda glanced over that pay rate. Skilled workers do demand a higher pay rate than $13-$18/hour. From what I've seen around my area a pay rate < $20 = unskilled labor.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

In related news, I am looking for a new Benz E350. I am prepared offer 20K for it. Wonder how many dealers will be knocking on my door to make the deal.

[Ban Hammer 14,357]

In related news, I am looking for a new Benz E350. I am prepared offer 20K for it. Wonder how many dealers will be knocking on my door to make the deal.

how about an opel corsa instead?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

how about an opel corsa instead?

Well, that's the point, isn't it? You get what you pay for. The pay offered by employers looking to find skilled labor is simply to low to attact the talent they want. So, up the offer.

I'd have to do the same if I was actually looking to buy that Benz. 20K just isn't cutting it.

Edited August 12, 2010 by Mr. Big Dog

[PhiLandShiR 18]

It's a fair point. The market sets wages and if she can't fill her positions at the wages she's offering then clearly the market has spoken and she needs to man-up.

If you pay them, they will come...

[mawilson 2,133]

In related news, I am looking for a new Benz E350. I am prepared offer 20K for it. Wonder how many dealers will be knocking on my door to make the deal.

[slim 1,533]

I'm seeing a lot of "immediate openings" around here for $8.25/hour.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

There is no skilled labor shortage in California, just a shortage of motivated skilled labor, well, other than the obvious.

http://sonomacountygazette.blogspot.com/2009/01/willing-to-work-sonoma-county-labor.html

[Dan J 277]

I'm seeing a lot of "immediate openings" around here for $8.25/hour.

For a person on unemployment, if they were making decent money before getting laid off, the unemployment check will probably still be worth more than $8.25/hr working full time.

Edited August 12, 2010 by Dan + Gemvita

[Obama 2012 1,714]

*GASP* An employer might have to resort to "on the job training?" Oh the horror!!!!!!!

What idiocy. I have been saying this for years now, that part of the problem is asshat companies who feel that they no longer need to really train people.... It's disgusting really.

[evli1966 88]

I understand maybe this employer could pay more for the help she needs but to do that more than likely she will need to pay the ones working the same if not more or lose them.

With that being said.

37k a year may not be the premo job people want but it sure beats draining welfare and crying for more handouts because the job pay is beneath you.

I laugh at the unrealistic views of people here on VJ about what they think someone should pay them.

If you turn this job down you do not deserve any US assistance.