Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

WSJ: Companies Have to Teach Workers Skills that They Didn’t Learn in College
Breitbart ^ | 3/27/2018

Posted on 03/27/2018 7:02:16 AM PDT by Altura Ct.

Companies are realizing that they have to train new workers to learn job skills that they failed to learn in college, according to a new Wall Street Journal report. A new column published last week in the Wall Street Journal revealed that a four-year college degree might actually hinder an employee’s readiness to complete job-specific tasks after hiring.

The report revealed that AT&T is spending more than $1 billion to train their employees on how to perform various tasks at the evolving telecommunications company. Some attribute this to the amount of time new employees spend in college learning skills that they will never apply on the job.

According to employer surveys, only half of college graduates end up landing a job that allows them to utilize the skills they learned in their degree program.

Some employers have encouraged reliance on bachelor’s degrees as a proxy for skills by requiring a diploma for jobs that didn’t previously require one, Mr. Fuller said. But such degree requirements are limiting the number of applicants for a job and increasing costs for companies and employees. They also lead to frustration for workers, since fewer than half of people who enroll in college end up graduating and landing a job that utilizes their degree, he said.

Some, including Dr. Ed Schweitzer, a former electrical engineering professor, argues that the current educational system may prevent great minds from breaking into the field in which they could make a great impact.

“If Thomas Edison walked through the door today, would we turn him away because we don’t have a job opening for an inventor?” Dr. Schweitzer said.

(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-75 next last

1 posted on 03/27/2018 7:02:16 AM PDT by Altura Ct.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

The worst place to learn job skills and character building is college. The best place to learn both is in the home with dedicated parents. Strong homes really are the foundation of a strong country.


2 posted on 03/27/2018 7:05:03 AM PDT by txrefugee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

Best alternative: take 18-year-olds who show some ability to learn. Cheap labor. Train them and give them skills. They don’t need college. Everyone is a winner. Solves the student debt problem. Solves the Marxist indoctrination problem.

Now, if you’re talking neurosurgeon, civil engineer, or other such fields, I support a solid college education. But for people who will be stuck in a cubicle for the rest of their lives? College is not needed. At all.


3 posted on 03/27/2018 7:06:13 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (I'm still somewhat onboard but very disappointed. Not so much "Winning" lately.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

Most college degrees do not lead to jobs or career paths. So it’s not surprising to hear that they have to be trained. College doesn’t train people for particular jobs.

Yes there are exceptions, such as getting degrees in accounting or nursing or some of the hard sciences. Otherwise, most degrees just don’t translate into the job market.


4 posted on 03/27/2018 7:06:36 AM PDT by Dilbert San Diego
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

That is because their college was worthless marxist SJW indoctrination.


5 posted on 03/27/2018 7:08:39 AM PDT by dforest (Never let a Muslim cut your hair.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dilbert San Diego

Even in the hard sciences, college is merely foundational work. I learned more in 4 weeks of OTJ engineering than getting a BSME, but I could never have stepped up to the plate without the BSME.


6 posted on 03/27/2018 7:08:50 AM PDT by Cboldt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: txrefugee

I wouldn’t go that far.... I enhanced my marketable skill set in college, and I learned how to push through 4 years of stuff I really didn’t care for that was not directly related to my degree in order to achieve my goals, as well as how to navigate a faceless bureaucracy over those 4 years effectively.

However I got a degree in a scientific field... a liberal arts degree in general isn’t the best choice if you are looking for marketable skills.


7 posted on 03/27/2018 7:09:09 AM PDT by HamiltonJay
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

I figure colleges need to teach more ‘social justice’ and diversity BS.


8 posted on 03/27/2018 7:09:13 AM PDT by Altura Ct.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.
...only half of college graduates end up landing a job that allows them to utilize the skills they learned in their degree program.

I'm not sure that's the colleges' downfall. Students often choose majors in fields that have no direct employment possibilities. I think the most underutilized job training institution is the US Military.

9 posted on 03/27/2018 7:09:25 AM PDT by econjack
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HamiltonJay

Of course with that said, given the cost of such a degree today, and the wage expectation for it... I would probably not have done college today... but a trade school.

I spent about 20k on my degree, and walked into a 40k a year job.... Today that same degree at the same university would be 80k and the job would be around 50k.... ROI is not worth it.


10 posted on 03/27/2018 7:10:19 AM PDT by HamiltonJay
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.
Colleges are where the kids learn the skills they were supposed to learn in high school, like researching and presenting their findings.

High school is where kids learn the skills they were supposed to learn in middle school, like writing a few coherent paragraphs and maybe some algebra.

Middle school is where kids learn what they were supposed to learn in elementary school, like how to read at the 3rd or 4th grade level.

Elementary school is where kids learn what they were supposed to learn at home, like how to sit still, how to wash your hands, and basic politeness.

Home is where they learn how to forage in the kitchen for food, and play video games in a filthy house while mom entertains her new boyfriend in the bedroom.

11 posted on 03/27/2018 7:10:41 AM PDT by A_perfect_lady
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

Ahhh not this crap again


12 posted on 03/27/2018 7:11:03 AM PDT by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

Companies Have to Teach Workers Skills that They Didn’t Learn in HIGH SCHOOL!!


13 posted on 03/27/2018 7:12:19 AM PDT by G Larry (There is no great virtue in bargaining with the Devil)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy

I have an in-law who does work with the local electricians union. They have a training and apprentice program to train workers for high-voltage lines, industrial electrical installations, etc... The (nearly all) guys coming out are easily making $50/hour before any overtime or benefits

They can’t find enough people to even enter the program, much less graduate from it.


14 posted on 03/27/2018 7:12:25 AM PDT by PGR88
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

No. Colleges are too busy teaching gender, homo, lezzy, hate America, marxism, White Privilege.


15 posted on 03/27/2018 7:13:25 AM PDT by I want the USA back (*slam is not a religion. It is a political movement to establish a religion.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: txrefugee

Colleges and college degrees for the most part are useless nowadays. They’re PC left leaning liberal indoctrination centers graduating self-absorbed, entitled minded, narcissistic, social media addicted morons that don’t have a clue.

And I’m being nice.


16 posted on 03/27/2018 7:13:31 AM PDT by maddog55
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

That has always been the case.

A hard lesson to learn not taught in college

“anticipate delay as routine”


17 posted on 03/27/2018 7:14:31 AM PDT by Thibodeaux (Long Live the Republic!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

Half of the young callers into Dave Ramsey’s show have useless degrees and ridiculous student loan debt.

Parents need to guide their kids in MIDDLE SCHOOL, to line up a High School curricula that will best prepare them for meaningful employment.

IT IS NOT ABOUT YOUR GPA!!!

Take a challenge!


18 posted on 03/27/2018 7:15:46 AM PDT by G Larry (There is no great virtue in bargaining with the Devil)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

Skills such as....?

Some examples would be nice for reference. My degree wasn’t training in specific skills for a specific job. It was readiness to then learn once I entered my career.


19 posted on 03/27/2018 7:17:50 AM PDT by Professional Engineer (This account has been banned or suspended.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altura Ct.

Skill number 1: Don’t spend your day texting and updating Facebook. That’s not what you are being paid for.


20 posted on 03/27/2018 7:18:39 AM PDT by DoodleDawg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-75 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson