America is currently facing a critical shortage of workers in all areas, especially skilled personnel. In March 1999, unemployment in the United States fell to 4.2 percent. Across the country, all states have experienced this decrease in staff. States with very large cities, areas with large immigrant populations, high welfare rates, and poorly performing school districts had higher unemployment rates. Also reported in March 1999, unemployment among those without a high school diploma was 6.1 percent; high school graduates with no additional training was 3.4 percent; those with some college in addition to high school was 2.8 percent but only 1.9 percent of those individuals with college degrees were unemployed (Goldberg, 2000, Page 2). This statistical data indicates that the American labor force is suffering a reduction of skilled and educated workers and as long as the economy remains strong, the shortfalls will continue. The continued challenges of untrained labor will have a tremendous impact on the United States' productivity in the future. .
Many factors are contributing to the unavailability of trained workers. High college tuition fees, poor educational systems, social pressures, advancing technology, and an aging American population are only a few of the factors. As industries strive to overcome these shortages, patients, students, and customers continue to suffer from the shortfalls in the labor force. For example, Information Technologists (IT), teachers and nurses are three major industries that are suffering from labor shortages. IT workers lack in advanced training and cripple companies making them less competitive. Nurses are overworked and overburdened. Students are placed in overly crowded classrooms and are not afforded the one on one attention that so many need. .
High-Tech; Low Applicants.
The computer industry, despite their intensive efforts to find, train, and retain workers, is having a difficult time in keeping up with the rapid expansion of its economy.
