From Virginia to all points west, a shortage of skilled workers
Virginia, Ohio, Wisconsin and Wyoming might have economic differences, but senators from these four states see a common problem that could choke off any recovery: a lack of workers in the skilled trades.
In Virginia, the challenge is evident in shipbuilding and ship repair, where the average worker age is 55 and 18,000 will leave the industry by decade's end, according to one survey. In Ohio, the same story surfaces in manufacturing, where a tool-and-die maker called a legislative town hall to point out the graying of the work force.
A panel discussion Tuesday in Washington brought together these different perspectives — including an executive from Newport News Shipbuilding's Apprentice School — to talk about closing the gap, what is working and what remains to be done.
Some say the government can simply do a better job of putting people such as plumbers and welders on equal footing with administrators and managers.
"We need to start to honor the skilled trades again — and not as a less-than-college track," said Chuck Speelman superintendent of Tri-Rivers Career Center in Marion, Ohio, which prepares high school students and adults for jobs in health care, industry, computer technology and more.
In some cases, the shortage is so dire that it calls into question basic government practices. One company in Speelman's region said it would give up tax breaks, a time-honored way to lure businesses, in exchange for the guarantee of a skilled workforce.
"Every state, every community is trying to give away free land and dirt," he said. "No one has a skilled workforce to provide. Why isn't that the national crisis?"
Legislation in the works
Sen. Tim Kaine is one four co-founders of the Senate's Career and Technical Education Caucus along with Sens. Rob Portman of Ohio, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Mike Enzi of Wyoming. Kaine and Baldwin are Democrats. Portman and Enzi are Republicans. All but Enzi attended Tuesday's meeting.
The caucus was founded in January and held its first public event in June. Its members have already introduced three bills aimed at helping skilled workers achieve their goals, and steering younger people into these careers.
One would expose middle school students to technical career choices. Another would raise standards at career/technical programs across the country, and a third would free up federal student loans for short-term programs that result in an industry certification or credential.
Career and technical education "is really important, but often under-emphasized," Kaine said.
Kaine invited Danny Hunley, vice president of operations for Newport News Shipbuilding, to talk about the company's Apprentice School. Established in 1919, the school has been in constant update mode to stay ahead of the Navy, for which it currently builds nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines.
Hunley speaks from experience. He graduated from the Apprentice School and has spent 40 years at the shipyard.
"When I began working at the shipyard, every kid had a bicycle, a crude set of tools and the spirit of MacGyver," he said, referring to the resourceful hero of the popular 1980 TV series. "Today I hire shipbuilders with a completely different skill set — and a different mindset. In the last five years, I've hired 8,000 of them."
The Apprentice School is highly selective, and even though it churns out skilled crafts people and future company leaders, it alone cannot change the demographic curve of an aging shipyard workforce.
Bill Crow, president of the Virginia Ship Repair Association, did not attend Tuesday's panel discussion, but previously described to the Daily Press how his group is partnering with community colleges, workforce boards and industry on a pilot program to train prospective workers in coatings and electrical work — two fields that industry has identified as labor-needy.
The pilot programs combine academics with practical instruction in OSHA rules, Navy jargon and other fields to give participants a leg up in applying for jobs, Crow said. And because industry officials are involved in the selection process, there is a good chance participants will be hired.
The association has also developed a booklet on welding and distributed it to technical schools. It describes Navy welding standards, which differ from civilian standards.
Education challenge
Bryan D. Albrecht is president of Gateway Technical College in Wisconsin, one of 16 technical schools in the state. About 56 percent of his students qualify for some sort of financial aid, but students pursuing other career fields do not. That includes jobs such as certified nursing assistants and emergency medical technicians, which can be gateways to other jobs in health care.
These certificate programs don't qualify because of their short term.
"This strategy works opposite of what is needed to spur local economies and build the next generation of skilled workers," he said. "Today's workforce is a competency-driven market. Skills are what employers are asking for and what they are willing to pay for."
Kaine, a former Virginia governor, had a similar story to tell. Virginia's community colleges receive state funds for students pursuing degree programs, but not those seeking career or technical training.
"So there's an old-time funding model that doesn't really account for the value of career and technical training in the community college setting," he said.
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