How a decline in community college students is a big problem for the economy

Photo caption: Industry officials fear that an existing shortage of workers in construction and skilled trades will be worsened by a big drop in enrollment at community colleges that help to train them. Credit: Kristine T. Paulsen for The Hechinger Report. Article by Jon Marcus. The Hechinger Report – March 5, 2021.

Existing shortages of graduates with badly needed skills are about to get much worse

Even as the twin blows of a pandemic and a recession have slowed down the construction industry, B & I Contractors in Fort Myers, Florida, isn’t short of work.

It is, however, short of workers.

The company, which specializes in commercial buildings, offers enviable benefits — employee stock ownership, in-house training, paid time off, sick days, a 401(k), health insurance that includes dental and vision and, in some cases, a $1,000 signing bonus.

Yet it regularly lists around 50 jobs to fill, including for plumbers, electricians, welders, computer-aided design experts and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning technicians. […]

Click here to view original web page at hechingerreport.org