Republican Debate Reveals Demand for Skilled Labor
Last week Marco Rubio, Florida Republican highlights what Oregon employer, Pro Weld faces as the business grows. This family operated, award winning, Women Owned welding company seeks welders to hire before the end of the year.
Women Owned Business, Pro Weld Seek Journeymen in Medford, Oregon area welding shop.
“We need more welders and less philosophers” says Sen. Marco Rubio. Interesting statement, but in Medford, Oregon is it relevant? Perhaps, but the core problem is simply the lack of workforce. According to the 2014 Medford population estimate is there are 78,557 living within the city. In a state of 3.97 million people, Medford may be an area of slim-pickings. Yet Pro Weld is optimistic that they can bring a spark to the area.
Pro Weld and Rogue Community College’s Welding Department Chair, Todd Giesbrecht today discussed creating a collaborative to use the CWE programs to prepare students for the workforce. The real issue goes back to a lack of ambition. The manufacturing workforce has a limited number of applicants and seems to be taking a hit in the across Jackson County (estimated population of 210,287 in 2014).
Giesbrecht is seeing a lack of job interest and ambition in students. However, it is hard to pinpoint if the issue of the American culture and entitlement mentality is strictly due to the “millennial generation” mindset.
Pro Weld trains workers, and provide a welding environment and allows for advancement through workplace excellence. But finding the welders who walk in with “can do” attitudes, is few and far between.
Pro Weld offers welders opportunities to weld, assist in crane services and skilled work in the Medford area family-owned welding company.
“Welders start above minimum wage,” says Penny Oberlander, Women Owned co-founder of Pro Weld. “Finding welders with the capacity to become excellent journeymen fabricators is not common.”
The discussion around Medford revolves around the lack of skilled workers, and second only to a growing group of able-bodied workers unwilling to pick up a welder, roll-up their sleeves and apply themselves.
Annual Wages for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers by area provided by the United States Department of Labor, May 2014.
In terms of annual mean wage, Jackson County, and Medford, Oregon is on the lower side of the United States as seen in the above for the geographic occupational profile.
According to the 2014 United States geographic occupational profile, philosophy and religion teachers are not prevalent (shown as non-existent) compared to welders in Southern Oregon area.
To apply for a welding job call: 541-826-1404
To explore the path of a welding career, visit Pro Weld’s beautiful 15,000 square foot facility just north of Medford, 10-minutes from the 1-5 Freeway near the Table Rock Mountains.
1316 Ave G White City, OREGON 97503
For more on this discussion, see the following articles covering the discussion.
CNN – Marco Rubio’s Quip About Welders Gets Torched
Bloomberg – Rubio Has a Point About Welders
Huffington Post – Marco Rubio Responds to Question About Minimum Wage by Saying We Need Fewer Philosopers