Speakeasy forum: Need for college education?? Some good points made here

There are many valuable trades and occupations that don't require a four-year college education. The president acknowledged that in the speech that got him called a "snob" by Rick Santorum, who has several postgraduate degrees himself.

American Workers Being Sourced for Canadian Jobs

HALIFAX, May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Canadian project management & industrial recruitment agencies are looking South of the border to fill requirements for upcoming industrial job sites across Canada.

The skilled trades shortage in Canada has prompted many companies to begin sourcing qualified workers from the United States in order to meet project requirements on time and on budget.

Skilled Trade Workers working on projects in Alberta are among the highest paid workers in the world.

"CanWest is seeking to hire thousands of American trade workers. Welders, Pipefitters, Ironworkers, Electricians and Industrial Insulators are at the top of the list to be recruited. The United States is a prime source for workers because of the struggling economy as well as the excellent skill level which is very comparable to their Canadian counterparts " Poulain said.

Of course we have our own shortage up here...especially with the aging/retiring labour force

Why is having pride so important in the skilled trades? ... things keep going the way they're going, Canada will be short one million tradespeople by 2020.

That maybe true, but i also see another trend. Many newer manufacturing plants whether they make pots or cars, want skills that require a high degree of education. In some cases, you won't be hired until you are certified or educated in that trade and/or operations. Car manufacturers won't allow some button pushers to work if they don't have a associates degree or been educated(1yr.?) in some skill that they don't provide for, though they did in the past. In other words, no OJT provided, you already have to be skilled or trained in whatever. Yes, some of this is very hign end educated skills, but its also a means to weed out of get rid of any old timers and not necessarily dead weight here but though of, as.

As for degrees in general and/or educated masses. There is only so much available to hire for and they're not going to take the less desirable. I just wish it was different but also you practically need an education just to fill out an application form for lack of anything else. But then we're a "global market" now, what a crock and catch phrase for anything wrong at home. ------Willy

The beginning basis for so-called vocational training and even comm. colleges was to provide the higher need for skills. But even they were producing the students that finished, they didn't provide a job for long. While some of that was very much a changing market, many business simply gave-up on in-house training other than basic operations for those schools. Now, you have skilled labor waiting for the next opening that's in vogue demand. It becomes were a person becomes a renassieance person if they like it or not knowing many skills or training and still get no job or very competitive for those opening. yet, the demand for high turn-over jobs go unfuilled because of prolonged possibility of injury like meat cutting(factory), line maint., outside summer work, you know those drudgery jobs. -----Willy

I've no problem with shifting into reverse when there is trouble looming ahead. I can recall a saying I heard in my childhood regarding failing corporations that were top heavy with people in management and other administrative positions but today's PC climate wouldn't allow it now. It had to do with having "too many chiefs and not enough indians". The meaning should be obvious. Good luck over there. We could use a success model over here.