Unemployed, and Likely to Stay That Way (skill erosion and marketability)

New York Times ^ | 12/2/2010 | Catherine Rampell

[SC_Pete]

The longer people stay out of work, the more trouble they have finding new work.

That is a fact of life that much of Europe, with its underclass of permanently idle workers, knows all too well. But it is a lesson that the United States seems to be just learning.

This country has some of the highest levels of long-term unemployment — or joblessness lasting more than six months — ever recorded. Meanwhile, job growth has been, and looks to remain, disappointingly slow, indicating that those out of work a while are likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. Even if the government report on Friday shows the expected improvement in hiring by business, it will not be enough to make a real dent in those totals.

So the legions of long-term unemployed will probably be idle for significantly longer than their counterparts in past recessions, reducing their chances of eventually finding a job even when the economy becomes more robust.

“I am so worried somebody will look at me and say, ‘Oh, he’s probably lost his edge,’ ” said Tim Smyth, 51, a New York television producer who has been unable to find work since 2008, despite having two decades of experience at places like Nickelodeon and the Food Network. “I mean, I know it’s not true, but I’m afraid I might say the same thing if I were interviewing someone I didn’t know very well who’s been out of work this long.”

[SC_Pete]

One amusing note: "The Obama administration has recently thrown its support behind an effort to overhaul community college retraining programs." Gee, Obama realizes we need more people with econmically valuable skill sets--and fewer pointy-headed intellectuals. Maybe Janeane Garofalo should retrain as a manicurist.

[wayoverontheright]

One amusing note: "The Obama administration has recently thrown its support behind an effort to overhaul community college retraining programs."

It would be amusing if it weren't so sad. If the minimum wage were lowered, we private sector people, from whence the money came for government-sponsored "re-training" programs, would be willing to train them ourselves.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

“I am so worried somebody will look at me and say, ‘Oh, he’s probably lost his edge,’ ” said Tim Smyth, 51, a New York television producer who has been unable to find work since 2008, despite having two decades of experience at places like Nickelodeon and the Food Network. “I mean, I know it’s not true, but I’m afraid I might say the same thing if I were interviewing someone I didn’t know very well who’s been out of work this long.”

Switch over to another dieing communication medium. Like the NY Times.

[fightinJAG]

There are structural changes in the economy that are going to make it harder to create jobs and, at least for a while, fewer jobs will be needed to do the same work as previously.

This puts a greater emphasis on entrepreneurs and small businesses, particularly those that can’t graze globally for cheaper labor and better tax deals.

In the meantime, those who are unemployed and don’t want to get laid-low with the attitude of the perpetually idle can find ample ways to volunteer and contribute. This can help them and society, even, though, of course, it is no way negates the need for jobs.

My point is that I hope our millions of unemployed (not the usual welfare crowd, but those affected newly by this recession) can keep their spirits up and find satisfaction in work that, while unpaid, is real and worthwhile work.

In these days, just using your time being a good friend to those who are your friends is a great contribution.

[OrangeHoof]

As someone newly laid off after 19-1/2 years, white male in his early 50s, such stories frighten me. I will resist living off the government teat as long as possible and will try even for part-time work if my search lasts more than a few months just because I want to keep a record of employment going.

Fortunately, I’m geographically well-positioned even if I’m disadvantaged in terms of other demographic factors.

[Sybeck1]

My job is moving next year. I will be bored out of mind if I don’t find something, I mean I pace the floor on 3 day weekends.

[Oldexpat]

Of course removing 12m illegals couldn’t possibly improve the job opportunities and reduce government expenses..hmmh.

[spiltmilk]

My point is that I hope our millions of unemployed (not the usual welfare crowd, but those affected newly by this recession) can keep their spirits up and find satisfaction in work that, while unpaid, is real and worthwhile work. In these days, just using your time being a good friend to those who are your friends is a great contribution.

This post is a breath of fresh air compared to the many completely classless and uninformed comments on many of the unemployment threads. I'm one of the millions and I can confirm the truth of what you say. Just the other day, another company in my field announced layoffs and I prepared and sent a detailed guide to send to friends there who were worried and unsure how the process went down. Wasn't much, but it made me feel good to be able to deliver something that might be valued. I felt I owed it for all of the support I've received from friends, acquaintances and strangers over the last few months.

Thanks for posting and have a great weekend.

[dfwgator]

More and more technology is reducing the demand for human labor, and it’s only going to continue to get worse. Offshoring is a factor, but even without it, the technological advances have taken a heavier toll on jobs.

[Democrat_media]

Hi , Spiltmilk.

Your perseverance , persistence, and not giving up is really an inspiration.

I am almost in the same situation you are in. I could lose my self employment any time and am likely to do so soon. But I get no unemployment checks even if I do lose my source of income cause I’m self employed.

Still wondering how you are doing. what is your situation. I talked to you in a thread a few weeks ago. hope you get a job soon or find a solution for your problems. your perseverance , persistence and not giving up is really an inspiration. I wish I could help you and myself and others in this situation.

[rllngrk33]

Of course removing 12m50m (if you include all their non-working relatives and anchor babies) illegals couldn’t possibly improve the job opportunities and reduce government expenses..hmmh.

FIFY

[TonyInOhio]

So the legions of long-term unemployed will probably be idle for significantly longer than their counterparts in past recessions

Just as Obama and his merry band of Socialists intended.

[loveliberty2]

"It would be amusing if it weren't so sad. If the minimum wage were lowered, we private sector people, from whence the money came for government-sponsored "re-training" programs, would be willing to train them ourselves."

You are correct, and that is exactly how it was done before the power-hungry local, state, and federal politicians decided to enlarge their powers through their vote-buying mechanisms. Think about it!

Until the past 20-25 years, private industry could afford to hire youth or other unskilled workers, train them, and promote them through the ranks to supervisory posts, and sometimes to executive positions.

Then came the, "let us build a massive bureaucracy of community colleges who will hire millions of teachers and staff to train your workers for you for free, and you won't have to do it any more."

What they didn't say was, "when you hand it over to us, the price tag of taxes and incentives make it impossible for you to exist." Further, their devious pledge meant that they would amass an overpowering amount of power and voter pools in the process.

To "wayoverontheright's" point about the minimum wage, a North Carolina textile company published the following full-page message in the mid-1980's which is more true today than when that farsighted company published it.

[Logical me]

The Obama administration has recently thrown its support behind an effort to overhaul community college retraining programs

Stupid idea. What could the local community college possible give that would make a person more marketable. Workers will probably be needed at a very basic ground level. We have plenty of high skilled workers without jobs that college level training would be almost useless.

[wally_bert]

I wished I had known about Walter Williams back in the 80s as a somewhat miguided teenager. The man is simply briliant. We need more like him.

[Democrat_media]

All that is true.

Also the Ocean of government regulations, and progressive anti-private-business laws, cripple businesses and also chase businesses to other countries.

But one bright spot for us who seek jobs is:
The baby boomer generation are beginning to retire. they are the biggest generation. And that will open up a lot of jobs. So hang in there everyone.This might even create labor shortages in the future.

[carjic]

Not easy as I had thought. I reach my 2 year anniversary on December 8th. Laid off from Wells Fargo Auto Finance and although I have not been living off “unemployment”, I have not found a job that anyone will pay me for. I have found lots of 1099 stuff that never pays off. I am 57 and if you had ever told me I could not find a job the very next day, i would have told you “your crazy”. Still looking but I am getting very cynical.

[Democrat_media]

Well I actually disagree with you on technology.

If it weren't for technology we wouldn't have thousands of job categories now nor our living standards.

Go back to the cave, with your dirt floor , where the marxists/democrats want you .Sound like fun, no AC,bugs, diseases? Life expectancy was 18 before the technology created by capitalism that you hate made it .80

[dfwgator]

I somewhat agree, but people are going to have to learn to be flexible, and learn how to develop a ‘skills portfolio’ that will allow them not only to switch jobs quickly, but to also switch careers quickly.

[loveliberty2]

His brilliance includes the unique ability to articulate comoplex economic information in a way that is easy to understand by ordinary folks.

He should be given much, much more TV time on Fox and Fox Business in these critical times. How about starting a movement to get that done?