Apprenticeships and Unemployment

Apprenticeships and Unemployment

The boon for the American economy comes from three directions in the short view, and infinite possibilities in the long view.
First, there would be more Americans working. If more are working, then in theory, fewer would require government assistance. That would both expand the tax base because more people would be contributing to it, and reduce the amount of tax dollars obligated to subsidies, benefits, and entitlements because fewer people would be taking from it.

This work would not be for nothing, goods and services would be produced and the second boon would take effect, the expansion of GDP. This expansion would put more money into the economy not by quantitative easing, but by actual earnings which would also necessarily evolve into more expendable income available to workers. And this would drive demand for even more goods and services.

The third boon would be a more sustainable workforce. Many occupations such as machinists, repairmen, technicians, and trades are suffering from labor shortages while students are graduating from universities with degrees they cannot directly use for their employment goals. 1361 U.S. employers surveyed in January by Manpower Group say that they can’t find workers to fill positions. (Woellert, 2012)

In his article, Lerman points out other advantages that may not be as tangible as these. He asserts that widened opportunities, rewarding careers, increased economic mobility, and increased engagement of young people are all beneficial , and that expanding apprenticeship programs will accomplish these goals as well as help expand the middle class. (Lerman)

But my thoughts diverge from Lerman’s intentions behind the views he expressed in the article. Lerman primarily discussed the benefits to our education system, our economy, and our jobs market. But I think there is a more elemental component to all of this, the individual. In the end, all economics, all money, all supply and demand boil down to the individual. The American worker, consumer, patron, or service provider contributes his or her share to the American labor pool, the company’s sales figures, and the accessibility of goods and services. If the individual is not employed, he makes no contribution.

And if the individual feels left out because of inferior academic grades in an academic-centric employment system, then he or she may not feel like they are part of that system, and may undermine it. If a person is continually told that they are a failure because of poor grades, how long will it be before those external assessments become internal ones? And how long will it be before those transfer over into every facet of that person’s being? How much oppression can a person take before they give up and decide to stop even trying? How productive are they then?

I think most people want to make it on their own. Most people want to move out of their parents homes and see what they can do for themselves. But let’s face it, college is not for everyone. That is not to say that everyone should not be welcome in any college of university he or she decides to attend, but not everyone wants or necessarily needs college education.

High school is enough for some, but college may be too much. Some want more but there is little educational opportunity available between high school and college. Apprenticeships are great programs for students to pursue to develop real workforce skills and hands-on training that may not be available in a college or university where the focus often tends to be a more well-rounded, liberal arts foundation. That foundation Is necessary for the theory and systems classes that will help future industry leaders run their businesses. But that degree probably won’t teach them how to change the oil in the trucks on which their shipping business relies.
A very long time ago our public schools had two foci; prepare students for college, and prepare our students for the workforce. It seems like the colleges have usurped the second role, and abandoned vast portions of it. Who needs to go to college to learn how to be a plumber, or a welder, or a computer repair technician? This is where technical schools should shine. The gap between high school and college could be filled with a variety of technical schools and apprenticeship and internship programs to expand opportunity to those students who for whatever reason may not function well for 8 hours or more in a traditional classroom. Apprenticeship programs spend much shorter sessions in formal classes, and large blocks of tim actually on the job performing the work necessary to the company -for pay.

The “for pay” part of the previous statement is very important. Almost anyone can volunteer, or attend classes, but these do not have the same motivational incentives as a paid internship or apprenticeship. The compensation even if a meager amount, helps alleviate one of the largest obstacles potential students face when considering post high-school education: the finances. I know this from personal experience, students often have to justify the costs of participating in an unpaid internship, find time to study, and provide for themselves and potentially their family members? Paid apprenticeships help alleviate some of those concerns. And, they help circulate money in the economy as a whole.

Woellert, Lorraine. (2012). Bloomberg.com. “Companies Say 3 Million Unfilled Positions in Skill Crisis.” Retrieved from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-25/companies-say-3-million-unfilled-positions-in-skill-crisis-jobs.html