How is the American workforce changing?

The American workforce is changing in many different
ways.

First, we are shifting from a manufacturing workforce
to a service workforce.  That is to say, we now offer more services and produce fewer
tangible goods. This is to some degree a function of the fact that it is less expensive
to make goods in other countries.

Second, the workforce is
changing in its demographics. Even though there is high unemployment right now, given
that the birth rate in the United States is lower, there could be a shortage of workers
at some point in the future, particularly when all of the baby boomers
retire.

Third, the American workforce is not as
well-educated as previous generations were.  We have more people who cannot read, write,
or do math than in generations past.

Fourth, the American
workforce is adjusting to the need to be technologically savvy, although not yet
enough.  There are jobs that remain unfilled because there are not enough workers who
are highly technologically skilled.

Fifth, the American
workforce, because of the present unemployment situation, is more likely to be a
workforce of people who are employed only part-time, with lower wages, and without
benefits. As a subsidiary of that trend, people are far more likely to have more than
one job.

Sixth, there is a trend today for workers to
telecommute in many industries.  This was initially frowned upon by many employers, but
they have learned that people can be "watched" at home and can be just as, if not more,
productive.

Seventh, the American worker today changes jobs
far more frequently than at any time in our history, sometimes voluntarily and sometimes
involuntarily.  In times past, people often spent their entire work lives working for
one company.

There are many other differences, but these
are some of the major ones I have noted over the past 40 years.