While the Economy Slides, Demand Grows for Skilled Workforce

It’s amazing that even in our current period of economic decline there are still segments of the economy that are struggling to find skilled workers.  Here’s an example of an innovative partnership in Alabama designed to grow the supply of welders, pipefitters, and other skilled craftsmen.

The craft trades of welders, electricians, pipe fitters, steelworkers, plumbers and insulators, to name a few, have been good jobs until the recent recession. The average skilled tradesman is in his or her 40s or 50s and that’s the driving force behind the unusual cooperation between unions and non-union employers.

“This has been a perfect fit for the (contractors and unions) working on this project and we’re raising a lot of eyebrows working together,” said Leroy Nicholson, director of the Alabama AFL-CIO Labor Institute for Training. “You have to change the way of thinking and work together if you’re going to survive.”

 ClearTrend has been a leader in helping organization establish partnerships to solve workforce challenges.  Our skill set includes identifying stakeholders and funding sources, aligning workforce knowledge and skills with technical training and college degree programs, and helping leaders build the business case to invest in human capitol.