Amplifier Blog: Lassa Thinks Manufacturing Skills Lacking in Marshfield

Lassa Thinks Manufacturing Skills Lacking in Marshfield (From The Amplifier Blog)
http://scottkennethnoble.blogspot.com/2012/01/lassa-thinks-manufacturing-skills.html

Come on, really?  Aren't we taking things a little out of context here?  How about completely out of contexts!

Marshfield felt the recession like most other communities.  We were spared the deep impact of the recession felt by other communities, such as Wisconsin Rapids, because of our diverse business and industrial base, but we had our share of businesses closing too.  We do have many unemployed people from businesses such as Wick Homes, still searching for their next job.

What we have found in Marshfield, and in every other area of the state, is that businesses that are looking to hire people are looking for very specific skills.  Even traditionally "Blue Collar" jobs have become skilled labor.  It may be the need to work in a CAD application or the need to use a computer to run machinery that used to be run manually, but there are specialized skills that are needed for a lot of the New blue Collar Jobs.  Even mechanics and maintenance positions are using the internet and computer solutions in their daily jobs.  Think about the last time you thought about changing your own spark plugs or working on your car.  It's not as "technology free" as it was 25 years ago.  Times have changed.  Like cars, successful businesses have gotten leaner, more efficient and more reliant on technology.  As a result, they need employees that can do the same.

This article seems to imply that Sen. Lassa believes Marshfield workers not only don't have the skills, but don't have the capacity to learn them...at least that is what he is trying to imply.  That isn't true at all.  What we do need is a program for taking displaced workers and training them (quickly) to continue to do their good work in a new, more high tech environment.  This isn't a partisan issue for most people.  It is a fact.  The Senate passed it with one dissenting vote, the assembly has stalled the bill.

Let's stop the partisanship and fix the problem.  Help develop programs to retrain displaced workers so they can get these new jobs.  If this bill isn't the solution for you, that is fine, give us your idea.  But please, stop with the stonewalling and name smearing and let's get something done.

Not to be hypocritical, here's an idea.  We have great Technical Schools and a world class University System in this state.  Let's use them.  Not only can they provide the training people need, but they can customize it for any particular business.  There will be a cost (GASP!), but don't forget, there is a cost if nothing is done as well, and that cost is far more substantial and on-going.

The Do-Nothing approach accomplishes everything it's name implies.  Absolutely nothing.  The Stand-on-the-sidelines-and-mock-others-who-are-trying approach accomplishes even less.