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Yet there's a major shortage of Real Men for skilled engineering jobs.[1] The kind of jobs that require a hard hat. Not enough people are going to college and t

Yet there's a major shortage of Real Men for skilled engineering jobs.[1] The kind of jobs that require a hard hat. Not enough people are going to college and then taking jobs like that. Read through the titles on Edward Conard's page. Too many college grads, too few going into tough industries, and too many young people collecting disability. [1] https://www.edwardconard.com/macro-roundup/aging-populations-and-anti-immigration-rhetoric-in-rich-countries-are-forcing-companies-building-electricity-infrastructure-to-find-creative-solutions-to-meet-surging-demand-the-us-is-unable-to-fill/?view=detail&filters=macro-roundup-database https://www.edwardconard.com/macro-roundup/aging-populations...

rr808 1y ago
These "skilled engineering jobs" pay a fraction of what software engineers make - let alone the conditions. Little wonder no one wants to do them.
stagger87 1y ago
> "young people collecting disability." Can you elaborate?
- Animats 1y ago
  Some articles. [1][2] For a while, this seemed to be associated with COVID, but it's continuing. [1] https://www.edwardconard.com/macro-roundup/just-5-of-young-men-25-40-in-the-us-were-not-in-the-labor-force-in-1976-that-number-rose-to-11-in-2024-more-than-1-in-4-men-in-this-cohort-are-not-working-full-time-and-40-of-them-receive https://www.edwardconard.com/macro-roundup/just-5-of-young-m... [2] https://opa.hhs.gov/adolescent-health/physical-health-developing-adolescents/introduction-chronic-conditions/trends-disabilities-youth https://opa.hhs.gov/adolescent-health/physical-health-develo...
roenxi 1y ago
There appears to be a certain level of background propaganda where people keep saying that such-and-such occupation is facing a shortage of workers, but the actual evidence of that in the real world - sharply jumping salaries - rarely seems to eventuate. In a lot of cases wage rises don't even match the amount of money printing going on. And things like being "unable to fill" a role are a red herring. They are probably fishing where they have a role in case someone with very high skills very much already in the field comes along at a moderate price. In a real shortage people pay above market rate to attract canny candidates, then hire a capable individual who is slightly under-qualified and train them up.
- Animats 1y ago
  Yes. If you meet an executive who complains they can't find skilled workers, ask how many people they have in training right now. There are some industries that go in for extensive formal training. Power companies and railroads are examples. The skills they need are unusual, and mistakes are deadly and expensive.

rr808 1y ago

These "skilled engineering jobs" pay a fraction of what software engineers make - let alone the conditions. Little wonder no one wants to do them.

stagger87 1y ago

> "young people collecting disability." Can you elaborate?

Animats 1y ago
Some articles. [1][2] For a while, this seemed to be associated with COVID, but it's continuing. [1] https://www.edwardconard.com/macro-roundup/just-5-of-young-men-25-40-in-the-us-were-not-in-the-labor-force-in-1976-that-number-rose-to-11-in-2024-more-than-1-in-4-men-in-this-cohort-are-not-working-full-time-and-40-of-them-receive https://www.edwardconard.com/macro-roundup/just-5-of-young-m... [2] https://opa.hhs.gov/adolescent-health/physical-health-developing-adolescents/introduction-chronic-conditions/trends-disabilities-youth https://opa.hhs.gov/adolescent-health/physical-health-develo...

roenxi 1y ago

There appears to be a certain level of background propaganda where people keep saying that such-and-such occupation is facing a shortage of workers, but the actual evidence of that in the real world - sharply jumping salaries - rarely seems to eventuate. In a lot of cases wage rises don't even match the amount of money printing going on. And things like being "unable to fill" a role are a red herring. They are probably fishing where they have a role in case someone with very high skills very much already in the field comes along at a moderate price. In a real shortage people pay above market rate to attract canny candidates, then hire a capable individual who is slightly under-qualified and train them up.

Animats 1y ago
Yes. If you meet an executive who complains they can't find skilled workers, ask how many people they have in training right now. There are some industries that go in for extensive formal training. Power companies and railroads are examples. The skills they need are unusual, and mistakes are deadly and expensive.