Lynnda and a I have done a lot of traveling in the last month. We have been in 8 different states. A few things are clear. Our economy is strong. There are a lot more jobs than workers. I wish I had a dollar for every “Help Wanted” sign I saw. Labor is a major problem for large companies and small businesses. We had lunch at hamburger place in the Outer Banks and learned the owners were also the only 2 workers. The wife worked the counter and the husband was the cook. It wasn’t by choice. They couldn’t find any help.

Disney in Florida was very busy for early November. They were better off than most places but still short staffed. Disney found creative ways to deal with the shortages. They installed metal detectors and other devices to eliminate most bag searches and the need for as many security people at the entrances. We made dining reservations months ahead because some restaurants were still closed due to staffing. Mobile orders were required at the fast food restaurants. It reduced the staff needed. Americans were working at countries in World Showcase because they weren’t able to get all the foreign workers back from the countries represented.

Because of the work I do, talking to executives, high level managers and business owners is routine. One challenge they all have is hiring and keeping people at all levels including executives, managers, sales people, engineers, technicians, supervisors, operators, truck drivers and entry level people to name a few. We experienced the shortages of fast food and retail people. Staff shortages are at all levels in most industries.

Currently there are more jobs available than there are workers to fill them. As a result, wages have increased. My granddaughters were paid $15 an hour at their retail jobs in Maryland last summer.

This was unheard of two years ago. Opportunity is already here for those who are prepared or willing to train. More jobs are coming.

This past week, we attended the West Virginia Manufacturers Association (WVMA) Winter Conference. We heard about supply chain issues and labor shortages. We learned reshoring is already happening. Companies are looking for dependable suppliers closer to home. Global supply chains are being questioned. Nimble companies have already pivoted and are developing dependable regional suppliers. They are tired of their business being impacted by clogged ports, hurricanes on the Gulf Coast, Texas freezes, import tariffs, pandemics or a ship that gets stuck in the Suez Canal impacting shipping.

At conferences I usually learn more talking to the attendees than from the presentations. Almost every company I talked to at WVMA is trying to hire people. They need people with skills and training beyond high school. The Shale Crescent USA region has numerous schools offering two-year technical degrees as well as four colleges. The manufacturing jobs of today are not like grandpa’s manufacturing jobs requiring muscle and repetition in poor working conditions.

Todays advanced manufacturing jobs are high tech jobs requiring at least a technical degree. Working conditions are clean and more comfortable than grandpa could imagine. We learned the average manufacturing jobs pays over $35 an hour.

As an adjunct professor at Pierpont Community and Technical College I taught leadership to second year students until we got so busy at Shale Crescent USA. My students were sharp and hardworking. They worked and went to school. By October, my students all had one or more job offers paying at least $50,000. All they had to do was graduate in May and be drug free. I have crossed paths with some of them working in industry. They are doing well and have the pickup truck they wanted. One young man is earning over $100,000 annually with his overtime and bonus. He has a new pickup. Bought a home. Is married with two kids and still lives in West Virginia where he was born.

Students should consider how much they will earn with their degree after graduation versus the cost before heading off to a 4-year college. According to a US News and World Report on college tuition for 2021-2022, the average tuition and fees at a private college is $38,185. At a public college, out of state tuition is $22,698. In-state college tuition averages $10,336. Tuition at Pierpont is $4,986. Typically, community college tuition is less that $5,000 a year. None of these numbers include room and board. My students graduated with little if any debt.

Many students may be much better off financially with a two-year degree than a four-year degree. According to www.Indeed.com the average college student earns $50,000 a year at graduation about the same as my students. But my students are already at least $100,000 ahead because they have been working for 2 years.

The 4-year college student is out another at least $30,000- $80,000+ for tuition and fees plus room and board. Some students need 4-year college for the career they desire. For others, especially if they are not sure what they want to do, the 2-year option may make more sense and be more cost effective until they determine a career path. Another consideration is going to work for a company that will pay for classes their employees take. My employer paid for most of the classes for my Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering.

Manufacturing jobs have changed. They are now automated modern high-tech jobs requiring technical degrees. We are seeing high wage manufacturing jobs come back to the USA. More are coming. There is demand for these jobs and they pay well averaging $35 an hour. Companies are looking for people to fill them. Those in high school should consider getting post high school training. Those considering a 4-year degree might want to consider getting a two-year technical degree allowing them to earn a good salary two years sooner and reduce their cost of education. For more information go to www.exploremfgwv.com Thoughts to ponder.