With the current economic situation we all have to contribute to solutions that improve the workscape as quickly as possible. One thing made clear in the downturned economy is that many people are out of work. These people are having difficulty finding new employment, not because there are no open positions but rather, they do not have the skills and capabilities needed for the available jobs. These workers are not able to match to the work – they lack the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the needed work. Clearly we have a large gap.
But how do we mind the gap between the many available but unfilled jobs and the many available workforce members who are not adequately prepared to perform the available work? While in this downturn sectors such as manufacturing have modified their activities. They have changed job positions, closed sections and divisions, and made other modifications. In an attempt to stay competitive – or just to stay open – they have also changed their technology and organizational structures, and made other changes to improve their capabilities to deliver quality goods. This altered technology will drive the new and modified positions and has the potential to drive an even greater gap between workers and the work.