Bruce Specter comments in RGJ

Hear that sucking sound? It's coming from the vacuum being created by skilled professionals taking positions with or contracting with companies outside of Nevada or those leaving the state completely.

Nevada is losing its professionals

I recently had a dinner party and not one of us did business with or worked for a Nevada company. Not one. That number continues to escalate as highly educated professionals combined with virtual work environments can live just about anywhere and work with anyone in even the most technologically challenged global markets.
We have turned a collective deaf ear to the promises of economic development, as we continue to do our individual part in creating wholeness in our lives. There is a charm to the simplicity of the area, nestled up against one of the world's top playgrounds. That same lack of sophistication and low-brow perception has been and continues to be Nevada's Achilles heal.
Low-income gaming, mining, construction and warehousing employment has not and will not support the public-sector coffers. The latest is becoming the new renewable energy epicenter. How?
Again, we love living here, just can't make one here. The sound is getting louder!
Bruce Specter, Reno

posted by cl @ 6:40 PM 0 comments

A suggestion to Brian Sandavol

sent via: "Share your ideas"  http://www.sandovaltransition.com/ideas
I'm a former Community College instructor and current technical/vocational instructor for a national company. In NV we lack a "trained technical workforce".  I've been here for 20 years, it's still the same complaint.  Throwing money at the current educational system will not help. I've been pushing for a separate (from the Community College system) Technical College System here in NV for years. While the Technical College would still be under UCCSN, it would address the needs of technical/vocational workforce education,  which the current Community College system refuses to do. I also envision this entity working with K-12 to provide age-appropriate technical/vocational material (the majority of high-school students cannot read a tape measure, how sad is that?) 
More can be found on this topic by going to:  "Technical Education in NV"

posted by cl @ 10:28 AM 1 comments

Reno Mayor Bob Cashell on "Face the State"

In Mr Cashell's interview of 11/14/10 , the Mayor did (correctly) note that the Casino industry will never be what it once was, and we need to diversify our economy.  He also (correctly) noted that as industry flees CA, it jumps right over NV because we do not have a trained workforce.  He notes that education is the key, and that cutting education budgets is short-sighted (on this I partially agree).  My opinion on this is that throwing money at it (education) will NOT solve the problem either.  We all agree we need a trained workforce, it's just that the academics feel it all must be based on "soft-skills", academic based (vocational education....  why young man, don't be foolish... ). 
Why do over 50% fail to graduate high-school?  Probably because they are bored to death with "education".  If you want to educate that 50%, then you are going to have to make it interesting.  Can you teach math and science with a technical based vocational education?  You bet.... (geometry/carpentry, trigonometry/electrical, calculus/instrumentation).
I've see high school students who cannot read a tape measure.  Somehow, showing them one in a book I don't believe is going to do it.  IF we are going to end that 50% drop out rate, then we are going to have to offer parallel career paths, both academic and technical/vocational. 

I've been in NV now for over 18 years.  All I've since I've been here is: (1) we need to diversify the workforce, and (2) we do not have a trained workforce, and (3) we need more money for education. 
Well, I've seen the money come and go, and we are no closer to achieving these goals.  It's time to quit throwing money at it...  and fix the problem.  Again, I propose a separate Technical College system in NV, part of  UCCSN, but NOT under the thumb of the Community College's, who will always lean toward what they know, and all they know is academics).

Technical/vocational education should start in grade-school. Maybe then we could start getting the trained workforce we need, and finally start making things again in this country.

Charles L. Dickinson
Owner: Dickinson & Associates Industrial Training
Project Based Instructor: National Technology Transfer

 



Full interview at:
http://www.ktvn.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=5287741&h1=11/13%20-%20Face%20the%20State%3A%20Reno%20Mayor%20Bob%20Cashell&vt1=v&at1=Community&d1=728467&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=90005262

posted by cl @ 7:33 PM 0 comments

7 Industries in Need of Workers Now

 7 Industries in Need of Workers Now

Published: 11/3/10, 5:10 PM EDT
Brent Rasmussen, President, CareerBuilder North America

Given the layoffs and unemployment woes that consistently make headlines, it may seem hard to believe that some industries are experiencing worker shortages. Yet despite a national unemployment rate that hovers near double digits, there are industries that are in need of well-trained, qualified employees.
According to CareerBuilder's 2010 Mid-Year Job Forecast:
· Twenty-two percent of employers reported that despite an abundant labor pool, they still have positions for which they can't find qualified candidates.
· Forty-eight percent of human resources managers reported that there was an area of their organization in which they lacked qualified workers.
· Health-care employers were the most likely to report a skills deficit; 63 percent of HR professionals in large health-care organizations said they have a shortage of qualified workers.
Here are seven industries in need of workers, the reasons behind each, and why you might consider directing your career path toward one of these employee-hungry sectors.
1. Skilled trade
According to a talent shortage survey conducted by staffing firm Manpower Inc., skilled-trade jobs (heating and air conditioning, electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, etc.) are the hardest jobs to fill this year.
Why there's a need: Many skilled-trade positions fall into the "middle-skills" job category, or jobs that do not require a four-year degree, yet do require some education or training beyond high school. The shortage of qualified workers in this area has been largely attributed to a need for additional programs designed to attract high school students to the community colleges and trade school programs that train these workers.
Why you should consider it: You can get paid while you learn. Most skilled trades require training, much of which can be done during a paid apprenticeship. Skilled trades can also be a good career option for the business-minded, since many skilled-trade workers are self-employed and own their own businesses.

more at: 

posted by cl @ 6:50 PM 0 comments