Internet pioneer and permission marketing author Seth Godin wrote on his blog the other day that there are two kinds of recessions. The first is cyclical, pat of the natural order of things, and has a definitive beginning and end.
The other kind is permanent, where jobs go away and don’t come back. Ever. That second one he opines is what we are in now. That systemized jobs that can go overseas have, and will continue to do so, and that we should face that reality.
What do you think should or can act as infill in terms of replacing those jobs? Or is there a wide swatch of the middle class that will simply be unemployed or underemployed forever? Watch the video and then let’s discuss.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Staffing companies are filling that void…temp employment is booming…nice video though
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David, you need a paperless document solution
Staffing companies are bridging the gap by assisting businesses with their direct needs – being the middle man if you will. These are companies that would not otherwise take on the risk of new employees. I do believe that training is lacking and many just simply do not have the funds or the manpower to train these displaced workers.
A different question: Is there something that bigger corporations, educational institutions or software companies can do to assist staffing companies in training these workers? Are there cheaper solutions to the training issue that we are overlooking? Does a staffing software that can also train for various entry-level positions from a website with use of video tutorials, tests, etc. even exist?
As a staffing specialist, I get no greater joy than from getting dedicated people working. The other day a man came in and interviewed. He confided in me that he couldn’t read or do math past a 5th grade level. I referred him to the library where they have GED classes but it got me thinking. Why can’t employees sign into a system with their own log in information and go through various courses to teach them or strengthen their skills? Why can’t they better themselves while they wait for placement? With all of this technology and all of the ways to get an education or training online why can’t these two worlds combine? I know they could go to college but many won’t or can’t because their education doesn’t meet standards or they lack finances. That doesn’t mean they can’t be trained in some fashion and put to work. Something’s gotta give to get all of these people back to work. In the mean time, I am doing my part, one quality placement at a time!
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Thanks for your comments. I do realize that staffing companies are filling the employment void at least partially. And that’s a good thing of course.
Barb, you drill down a lot further than that though and raise some very interesting and I think appropriate questions.
Is there something that we can do to assist staffing companies in training workers? Are there cheaper solutions to training? Is there software that can also train for various entry-level positions from a website?
You can answer that first question way better than I can. As for questions two and three, the answers are yes.
I know a very successful entrepreneur by the name of Dr. Rajiv Tandon who started a company called Adayana.
They have developed learning systems solutions all over the world in the areas of agribusiness, automotive, government and health care.
If you want to train for example thousands of motorcycle mechanics in India en masse on how to install new brakes on a scoter, Adayana can help with:
Instructor Selection and Sourcing
Train-the-trainer (T3) and Certification
Delivery Logistics
Facilities Attainment and Management
Sustainable Instructor Support
Modes of Delivery:
Instructor-Led Training (ILT)
e-Learning
Mobile
Gaming / Simulation
And I’m sure there are lots of companies just like them in that space.
So yes, there are affordable and effective training solutions.
I love what you are highlighting in your last paragraph though Barb. Why can’t we do something like that indeed?
As a first step, why don’t you write a few hundred words about what that might look like and send it to Staffing Talk.
We would love to hear more.