The Southern Growth Policies Board meeting held in Chattanooga recently provided a lesson crystallized in the crucible of reality: Companies need skilled workers able to critically think and willing to work, and they're hiring.
The chief human resources officer of BlueCross BlueShield spoke of nursing shortages; the Volkswagen human resources executive vice president bemoaned the difficulty in initially hiring educated workers who are able to "calculate things -- and express yourself" and a troublesome attrition rate; the senior VP and global chief information officer of Unum recalled a technology center opened in Ireland five years ago that it was hoped would join the Chattanooga-based company's operations but lacked the number of qualified hires.
All these employers are expressing a similar issue. Even after completing high school, community college or university, our work force is not prepared with needed skills, and its members unfortunately adhere to a work ethic that prioritizes a flexible work schedule and free time.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, chairman of the Southern Growth Policies Board, noted the importance of adequate education that focuses more on technical skills needed in an economy driven by innovation and efficiency.
Of note, Haslam's remarks drew attention to the deficit of teamwork, critical thinking and interpersonal skills demonstrated by graduates entering the employment marketplace. He reinforced Tennessee's commitment to the expansion of a more strenuous curriculum that addresses the technical aspects of learning and skills through the adoption of the science, technology, engineering and math program of study among our public high schools.
Something to consider: While there are job openings, many applicants are looking for positions, not jobs.
Legendary Green Bay Packers' head coach Vince Lombardi said it this way: "The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary."