Perfect Labor Storm Alerts #271 to #275.

Many people believe education is the cure for the impending (and even current) skilled worker shortages. Few however are willing to address how serious the situation really is.

Fact #271: Fewer than one in four high school graduates who took the ACT test have taken the coursework necessary to succeed in college. (Source: ACT, Inc)

Fact #272: Only 22 percent of the 1.2 million high school graduates who took the exam this year (2004) were ready for college coursework in math, English and science. (Source: ACT, Inc)

Fact #273: Skills that employers are increasingly demanding are ability to work in a team, solve complex problems, and communicate clearly in print and in person. (Source: Coplin, 10 Things Employers Want You to Learn in College)

Fact #274: Skills that will keep workers marketable in the near term are self-motivation, time management, strong oral and written communication, relationship building, salesmanship, problem solving, information evaluation and leadership. (Source: Futurist Update, Feb 2004)

Fact #275: In the future, even more emphasis will be placed on skills that cannot be automated - caring, judgment, intuition, ethics, inspiration, friendliness, and imagination. (Source: Futurist, Sep-Oct 2004)

This knowledge gap was confirmed recently when nearly 50 percent of the 564 jobseekers at the 2004 Lancaster (PA) Chamber Job Fair rated their problem solving and business knowledge skills as average or lower. To receive a copy of these results and more, send a blank email to jobsurvey@chrysaliscorporation.com with the words "I Want a New Job" in the subject line.