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The Skills Gap: Is it Real?. Participants. Marc Levine The founding director of the Center for Economic Development at UW-Milwaukee Author of " The Skills Gap and Unemployment in Wisconsin“ Eric Isbister CEO and co-owner of GenMet Corporation
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Participants • Marc Levine • The founding director of the Center for Economic Development at UW-Milwaukee • Author of "The Skills Gap and Unemployment in Wisconsin“ • Eric Isbister • CEO and co-owner of GenMetCorporation • Leading workforce development advocate in Milwaukee • Michael Reader • President of Precision Plus • Manufacturing workforce advocate in Elkhorn
Skills Gap Myth • Job Creation Crisis • Perfect skills match only employs one of five • Good at creating low-skill jobs • Skills are one of many issues – not the major issue • Numbers don’t support a shortage • Wages are stagnant or declining • Hours worked are not increasing • Vacancies are open for the same amount of time • High Skilled Workforce – Growing percentage of four-year degrees
Skills Gap Reality • Skills Crisis – Good jobs are going unfilled • Consistent, National Issue • 600,000 jobs open • 82% of manufacturers reporting a shortage • Four-year degree focus limits career possibilities • Current Training is not working • Certifications/Diplomas/Degrees – “weakest link” • Soft skills aren’t in place
Some Bridges? • Manufacturing is critical to Wisconsin’s economy • 19% of GSP – multiplier effect • 18% of the state’s private, non-farm workforce • 93% of Wisconsin's exports • Growth & Persistence of Long-Term Unemployed • Soft skills are a major part of the problem • Today’s workers are not “foot pedal extensions” • It’s vital that we increase the number of family-supporting jobs & the people qualified to fill them