American Management Assoc. Training Programs

Jobs a Challenge

Manufacturing News Center

Nationwide unemployment in the U.S is hovering at 5.8% and shows no signs of strengthening. Regular gasoline prices are expected to reach an average of $2.00 per gallon nationwide.

Recent Figures from March 09, 2004:
Dow Jones Industrial Average Index
10456.96 -72.52
Nasdaq Combined Composite Index
1995.16 -13.62

Interest rates are the lowest in many years. Yet, instead of boosting the economy, it's not having a positive effect.

US employers cut 308,000 jobs in February, the biggest monthly job loss since the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

U.S. jobs have become the key economic indicator for many investors. Without jobs creation, it is argued, US consumers will lose confidence and the economic recovery will not be sustainable.

The U.S. Government said that 2 million jobs would be expected this year. That's a net of 150,000 jobs per month. In February, only 21,00 jobs were created. Do you actually think that we can make up for that net loss? Recent history certainly does not reflect that claim.

In August of 2003, the headlines read 'Job Losses; Worsening Dilema'. At that time, economists warned of a profound, ominous shift occurring in American business.

Remember President Ford? His initiative, accompanied with a Button Ad campaign, was W.I.N. Win Inflation Now. The button didn't work and his policy is a faint mark in history NOW.

Then President Bush came out with 'Retraining the unemployed' in his speech in January.

Retraining the workforce may not be enough to heal the woes of the unemployed. The trouble is, it doesn't work, and the current government knows it. The most comprehensive evaluation of training programs, conducted by the Department of Labor, followed 20,000 people over four years. For the vast majority, the government concluded that training made no difference whatsoever. There simply are not enough decent-paying jobs even with new training. Individuals may benefit from education, but training by itself does not create more jobs. And what do we train these workers for?

What is the real solution for unemployment? And, the North American Free Trade Agreement is good for whom?

The recent U.S. Occupational Outlook had some positive areas for enthusiasm. The 10-year projections of economic growth, employment by industry and occupation, and labor force are widely used in career guidance, in planning education and training programs, and in studying long-range employment trends.

Recent figures from the U.S. Department of Commerce concluded that, (Released 10:00 A.M. EST March 4, 2004) new orders for manufactured goods in January decreased $1.7 billion or 0.5 percent to $343.2 billion. This followed a 1.8 percent December increase. Shipments, up five consecutive months, increased $1.6 billion or 0.5 percent to $350.1 billion.

New orders for manufactured durable goods in January decreased $4.2 billion or 2.3 percent to $180.2 billion, revised from the previously published $3.2 billion decrease.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in January, down following four consecutive increases, decreased $0.9 billion or 0.5 percent to $187.1 billion, revised from the previously published $0.1 billion decrease.

These figures demonstrate more fear in the marketplace then strength. The power of employment is shifting overseas to India for technical and white collar positions. And, much of China and other Asian countries are growing in leaps and bounds in manufacturing, production and exporting. The U.S. is one of the major, if not the biggest, buyer of these goods and services.

Americans need to wake up and smell the roses. Personal and Business bankruptcies are up again for the third consecutive year throughout the country. Crime statistics are staggering. Turn on your local news. What do you see and hear? Robbery, theft and more white collar crime, are what's on the menu. The Martha Stewart saga will create a domino effect of monumental proportions on the economy as well.

Did we price ourselves out of the marketplace? Did Unions hinder our chances for survival or destroy them? Boeing can attest to that. Or, did the average American need more, because it had to pay more at the pumps, the grocery store, for real estate and when shopping for non-durable goods.

Many solutions abound, but we must optimize the infrastructure of the economy to rebound.

If consumers stop spending it will bring recovery to a halt. If the growth fails to move into the 150,000 jobs (a month) area, where we will be then?

WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK.

Did you find this material interesting?
Do you want more information of this type?

Comment via FEEDBACK

What related topics would you like to see covered?
What additional information on this topic would you find useful?

Source: Jobwerx.com

Copyright - Unless otherwise stated all contents of this web site are © 1998/2004– JOBWERX.COM. – All Rights Reserved. For permission to reproduce any contents of this web site, please advise our Syndication department: Log onto HELP

Discover the Great Deals from top brand name manufacturers. Click Here for deals

Jobwerx makes no representation as to the accuracy of information transmitted herein.