What should the average American know about the job market and the government’s role in job creation?
Ted Sadler: Employment/recovery was the obvious first monthly topic for our new discussion series because so much pivots off jobs. We should admit a painful fact: many of the jobs that America lost during the economic downturn won’t be coming back. Companies are functioning leaner with more automation so the unemployed and underemployed should plan carefully. We must work hard and work smart because the traditional 40 years with one employer and a solid pension is becoming the exception rather than the norm. The government can’t guarantee a job that produces funds to meet your financial needs and wants. As President Kennedy might have said, what you can do for your country is limit your obligations, training hard and pinch pennies until they scream.
The government should provide quality schools for K-12 kids and educational options for adults while creating a business environment conducive to job creation. We must keep a watchful eye on politicians and their relationships with special interest groups because at times it seems that the paychecks elected officials are most concerned with protecting are their own. Candidate Obama was a master at straight talk and I need him to speak honestly about the possibility of emerging nations out hustling us with their “hungry for opportunities” workforce. We better get on the ball. Finally, I was alarmed by a CBS Sunday Morning cover story about 50 plus years old unemployed people. Surprisingly, many employers pass on experience applicants because they are concerned with retirement while young workers are cheaper to employ. Look here: the job market is a rough game and must be worked from every angle….half the process is crafty networking. If you find yourself unemployed, the time could be right to build your own house or spend precious time with young family members—raise them or the streets will.
CBS Sunday Morning story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI1qy1Iwzl8&feature=player_embedded
Project Logic Ga 
Excellent post and commentary Slyram. In reference to the jobs and/or industries lost over the past decade or so, and the probability of them not coming back is so poignant. And one of the reason that I started holding youth leadership conferences with a primary focus on providing career information on Georgia’s emerging industries. Unlikely Allies Tour: Emerging Leaders Conference, our first was held in March and our next is coming up on May 14th, is designed for 16 – 22 year old youth. Georgia Work Ready program gets it. As a result, we’ve incorporated the industries this program identifies as emerging job/career opportunities for youth headed to the workforce in the next 5, 10 or 15 years. Georgia Power is one of our sponsors and certainly the utilities industries is one of those emerging industries. Our education system has to position themselves and work with businesses and chambers in order to determine what jobs will be available in the coming years. What a shame for a counselor at a high school to gear a young person in one career area, knowing or unknowingly, that is becoming obsolete versus preparing them for those that will be plentiful in the future.
The economic collapse really stunted our economic future. First, the stock market collapse eroded the wealth of older workers that were near retirement. This event has caused them to hold on to their jobs longer, thus making it difficult for young workers to receive opportunities to work. Youth unemployment is a serious problem not just in the U.S., but throughout the world. Bloomberg Businessweek had a very interesting article on it at http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_52/b4064058743638.htm
As bad as it is in the U.S., it is actually worst in most areas of the world. As our economy recovers and that will happen once we work through all of the foreclosures that continue to drag down our economy, we should see the labor market improve. However, it is important to note that the new jobs will require enhanced skills that will require strong critical thinking skills, math, and science competencies.
There’s only so much Congress can do in that area because all of the money in the world can’t force a student to pick up a textbook and have a thirst for learning. Changing the culture and mindset at the homes and in our schools must take place first before we start to see a real impact.
Aaron, I definitely agree with your comment about changing the culture and mindset in our homes and schools. And most importantly we can’t force a student to pick up a textbook and have a thirst for learning. Where did that thirst go? And when did it start happening? Troubling indeed…
Do you think family structure plays a role here? If you have a strong male and female presence in the home to instill discipline, then wouldn’t that encourage better performance from students.
If we know that to be the case, then what can we do as policy makers to improve the number of two-parent households? Should we advocate more abstinent initiatives and encourage healthy relationships that lead to marriage? That means in the schools and for older adults. I happen to think both go hand in hand.
Going back to the original question, I do believe government can play a strong role in job creation. The U.S. is falling behind in infrastructure and transportation projects that drive job creation. Even if high-speed rail projects are too expensive and time-consuming to make much of an impact, more dollars that go to maintenance and repair can yield economic benefits. Some go unnoticed since as limiting wear and tear on cars.
Right now, there are budget constraints in place due to rising entitlements and health care costs. That must be addressed, so that we can use savings from them to apply to the budget deficit, which will help keep interest rates down. It will also provide more flexibility to make the needed investments to support private sector employment growth.
What a nice start to this year-long effort to discuss vital issues and policies in greater detail. Some of the issues touch this month will be featured in the future.
Mr. Johnson, it was good reading in today’s newspaper that you will have a panel workshop on “Surviving the Economic Downturn” at 2pm Saturday as part of the Albany Area Black Expo (workshops, at the Hilton Garden Inn, are free and open to the public.) Chris Pike, the event organizer, and you add range to community leadership and I hope you cats have long careers in public service.
In one part of the paper, we read that federal HUD funds will be cut as part of needed budget adjustments. We need knowledgeable people to explain fiscal changes to the community and we need, in my opinion, people like Michelle Obama and Newt Gingrich to explain that the best life is one with limited governmental involvement.
I hope the workshop on ‘Surviving the Economic Downturn’ is presented on the basis of fact, from an economic standpoint, versus from a political perspective. Finger pointing is NOT the way to address this big elephant in the room. Hats off to the event organizer and I hope that its a success.
Yes, Chris Pike has certainly been an asset to our community with all of the community work. I know this Black Expo was very difficult to organize, so he deserves great praise in bringing this event to fruition. I’m glad to play a small part in it being successful
I hope both of you will be able to attend the workshop. As for my workshop, it’s intended to inform people of the local and national economy with the hopes that it will empower them to take advantage of our resources and start creating more enterprises here. Another component will be financial literacy, which I think is essential to sustaining any business long-term.