We don’t seem to be paying attention to the sheer numbers of men being ‘written off’ by our society. Out of 155 million Americans that comprise our work-force, 20 million of them are unemployed. And more than half of them are men.
When companies are searching for candidates with much-needed skill sets, they are having difficulty finding qualified potential employees.
The Alliance for Excellent Education has stated that “addressing the high school dropout crisis is a key strategy for economic growth. Years of research repeatedly highlights the link between education and the economy. Indeed, raising educational outcomes not only boosts incomes for individuals who earn degrees, but these individual gains also compound to improve local, state, and national economies.”
This translates to potential employees missing the very basic skills needed in American business today; reading, writing and arithmetic.
In the Tulsa metropolitan statistical area (MSA), an estimated 4,400 students dropped out from the Class of 2010 at great costs to themselves and to their communities. Cutting that number of dropouts in half for this single high school class could result in tremendous economic benefits to the region.
The problem is flowing from coast to coast, across the plains of the mid-west and the surrounding states. This is an American problem.
Timothy Geithner, our nation’s Treasury Secretary, stated that 80 million disability checks go out every month. That number is astonishing. Our disability programs have risen far above a reasonable level in the last 20 years. And yet there is no correlation between the increase in disability numbers and the increase in population of disabled persons.
According to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission’s website, the state unemployment rate remains unchanged in the month of June, 2011, holding steady at 5.3%.
{Ask yourself this question: If there was ever a time to get a job, it is now. How? The job boards are buzzing for qualified candidates. The best opportunity you have right now is to find a position that you qualify for 100%. Focus first on getting your feet in the door at that company. Then, your next step will be moving up the ladder. Remember to ask for it. Be bold when asking to be promoted. Expect to move forward. If you dress for the job at the top, follow directions, give more than what is required of you, you will be rewarded with promotion. Your work will reflect honor to you...promotion.}
A CALL FOR MEN TO ACTION:
This country was built on the backs of purposeful men who persevered.
It is your time now. Beat the odds of the current economy.
Repeat our glorious history & rebuild this nation.
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