ANNUAL SPEECH FOR THOSE ENTERING THE JOB MARKET...
Every Summer brings a new wave of participants in the workforce. Whether graduating from high school, community college, university, or vocational school, there will be many people eager to apply their knowledge and training towards a new (or renewed) career. Though recent job figures have shown a very small degree of improvement, entering the workforce at a time when unemployment rates are the highest since the Great Depression can be a very distressing experience.
To paraphrase Thomas Jefferson, those who qualify themselves well for their calling will never fail of employment in it. More recently, experts ranging from Robert Reich to Peter Drucker – who coined the term “knowledge worker” – have advocated for decades that knowledge, education, and training are the map and compass leading to career success.
Though we wish these notions could be entirely true in all economic times, we know from recent experience there are no guarantees. Economic realities have shown that even the most well-trained, competitively-skilled workers can be placed into the ranks of the unemployed, sometimes for brief periods, sometimes for much longer. But even in the toughest economic times, in the most competitive of job markets, those who prepared themselves well have the best chance of success.
Decades ago, the idea of getting a job in the local mill or manufacturing plant, and keeping that job until retirement, was common and realistic. Today, however, its estimated people will not only change jobs, but completely change their careers, many times over. Our economy, whether in good or bad times, is changing faster than ever before. The best way to be able to adapt to that change is to prepare ourselves well – by continually learning and applying new skills.
As a part of that ability to adapt, it’s important to understand that different jobs are in demand at different times, and being willing to adapt to new career opportunities is a trait that will serve jobseekers well. The Workforce Investment Board of Tulare County has current economic and employment data available, including salary projections and educational requirements, to help jobseekers determine current and future “in demand” jobs.
The WIB is dedicated to improving the existing workforce as a means to reduce poverty, support economic development, and increase family incomes – in short, preparing the county workforce for success. From getting input from the private sector their workforce needs, to collaborating with community colleges, adult schools, non-profit training providers, and school districts, to developing clearly defined career pathways for youth and adults, to creating and implementing work readiness standards for all clients, the WIB will continue to utilize all available resources to prepare our workforce for success.
