Mercury News: "Is Retraining the Answer?"

[area51]

The gist of this article is that retraining isn't the answer to unemployment in a bad economy. And this article doesn't even mention the problems of offshoring, more technology leading to more automation, and overpopulation. Excerpt:

"Software developer Dan Steinberg thought retraining would be his ticket to a better job.

"So after 15 years in tech, he investigated job opportunities for new MBAs and enrolled in business school. He finished in 2001 with an MBA and more than $50,000 in debt. And by then, the jobs he was targeting required experience.

"He's been looking for a job ever since.

"His story illustrates some of the pitfalls of retraining for professionals."

More here (link opens in a new window).

[teryang]

1. The market for the professional is shrinking

...why hire an experienced professional when you can hire someone straight out of the university for much much less? I've been out of work for quite some time now. I'm not in military or healthcare which are in a different cycle.

This stuff about training is bs. The reality is that the more and more unfair the labor market becomes the less likely it is to get earnings on the professional scale without going out on the self employed limb. I have resisted this for some time because of the risks (which increase with time) but now I have no choice. No one is going to hire me at what I used to make. Simultaneously, because of increased need for capitalization for marketing, I've had to lower my career sights considerably. I can expect, with any luck, three to five years from now, someone will say, why are you working in that field? Then I will get offers again in my previous profession if the bust and boom cycle continues.

[phantom power]

2. retrain for what? and who pays?

I have yet to see anyone with an answer to either of these questions.

[kalian]

3. Retraining: more money for colleges and universities....

its a money scam...pure and simple.

[Robert Oak]

4. It's insane

all that they care about is bottom $$ to pay someone and frankly
I don't believe any US company is going to remain competitive long
term by treating people this way.

You absolutely cannot, even with a PhD and an IQ of 160 gain 5 years of experience straight out of college.

I just (thankfully) got dinged by some "geniuses"
all under the age of 30.

Incredible. They cannot make a hotel reservation and cannot do a trip
reimbursement properly and they are snots.

What is even more amusing from our 20 something's who are above
all what is happening is they just don't get that someday they also
will be 40 and treated like caca because someone doesn't want to pay
their salary.

[mhr]

6. Right On Robert - Agree With Your Sentiments Completely!

Nevertheless the Frodo's of the world seem to think that jobs are a plenty and we should be swimming in offers.

Fat chance as you and I both know!

[bemildred]

Unions (real ones) and high progressive tax rates are the answer.

As long as they can take the money and run, they will.

[bemildred]

5. Deleted by poster. nt