The Big Jobs Myth: American Workers Aren't Ready for American Jobs

From The Atlantic: The Big Jobs Myth: American Workers Aren't Ready for American Jobs Jul 25 2012, 2:10 PM ET What ails the American worker? Republicans and Democrats, chief executives and certain academics all say they see a mismatch between workers' skills and employers' needs. The data see something different. 615 manufacturing dudes skills mismatch.jpg A specter haunts the job market. You've witnessed it on the campaign trail. You've seen it on TV. It is the idea that the skills of U.S. workers don't match the needs of the nation's employers. This "skills mismatch" is routinely held up to explain why the unemployment rate is still at 8.2% three years after the Great Recession officially ended, and why nearly half of those out of work have been so for more than six months. The Romney campaign affirms that the skills mismatch "lies at the heart of our jobs crisis." In his State of the Union speech, President Obama quoted conversations with businessmen who can't find qualified workers, and then proposed "a national commitment to train two million Americans with skills that will lead directly to a job." It is heart-warming to see Democrats and Republicans agree, but unfortunate that the thing they agree about may not be true. Read more.