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Virginia
to take manual-labor jobs under H-2B visas.
Similar to the debates over H-1B visas geared to
professional and technical workers, proponents
argue that “guest workers” perform tasks that
American citizens are unwilling or incapable of
doing. Opponents contend that employers could find
American employees if they were willing to pay a
living wage for these tough jobs, but it’s
cheaper to bring in subservient foreign workers.
It is a familiar argument, but there is a larger issue at work. It
seems undeniable that Americans are less willing
than in the past to work in hot kitchens, shovel
mulch in landscaping jobs or maintain Virginia’s
sultry commercial parks and apartment complexes.
What are they doing to qualify themselves for the
jobs that do appeal to them? What are parents
doing to set realistic and attainable workplace
goals for their children?
Young people, understandably, prefer not to work in the broiling
sun or over a broiling stove. (Flipping burgers
and dipping fries in an air-conditioned fast-food
restaurant does not count, incidentally). As
citizens of the world’s most fortunate nation,
young workers expect to move quickly up the ladder
to jobs with better pay and working conditions.
Most families send Junior or Juniorette to college, dreaming that
the kids will become a “professional,” make
the big bucks and join the great middle class. As
a society, we should provide that opportunity for
those equipped with the intellect, perseverance
and personality to succeed.
Certainly here in
Virginia,
with our excellent higher education system (both
two-year and four-year), we are providing those
opportunities. Our K-12 systems are fond of
pointing out how many of their grads go on to
college. What they don’t tell you is how few
actually complete a college degree program and
find satisfying work based on that educational
achievement. National data suggests that number is
less than 25 percent. So, what happens to the
large percentage who leave high school and head
for college but never complete? They’ve got a
problem, and we wonder if most parents have any
idea of how big that problem might be.
If H-2B visa holders come here initially for less desirable jobs,
how long will it be until they, too, crave
higher-paying jobs with better working conditions?
You may have noticed that many have moved into the
construction trades and are filling highly
compensated technician jobs.
We recently had the opportunity to work alongside some immigrant
workers on a rural reclamation project. We’re here to tell you that no one is
going to outwork these folks. Besides working at a
steady pace for long hours, they are unfailingly
cheerful and quick studies when it comes to
picking up the nuances of a task. They are not
supermen, but they have a super attitude.
Having a competent translator on hand, we ascertained that many of
these young men look upon their time here like
draftees used to look upon their time in the Army:
“If I maintain a positive attitude and do a good
job, I’ll get through this thing in good shape
and benefit from the experience.” They are here
to earn money they can send back to their families
in their home country to give them a jump start.
After those families get that jump start, their
kids will come here to take over better jobs.
American-born high school grads – at least
those, neither fish nor fowl, who never complete
college – will have a hard time competing for
work.
There are honorable technical occupations that pay well -- $45K -
75K a year – that American-born children should
aspire to. As society overcomes its gender
hang-ups, most are open to both Junior and
Juniorette. Occupations include include automobile
repair technicians, machinists, building trades
crafts persons, manufacturing technicians, etc.
Training programs are available, many with
excellent incentives and many at affordable costs
through Virginia’s
community colleges. The major problem with
staffing these jobs is that parents, having
achieved the American dream of a four-bedroom,
four-bath home, a two-car garage and several cars
parked in the driveway, look down their noses at
the prospect of their children working as
technicians.
Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Longnose don’t realize that they achieved
financial success under economic conditions –
such as the national dependence upon debt – not
likely to be repeated in their kids’ lifetimes.
In fact, the current economic downturn may just be
the early signs of a long-term shakeout that will
make life harder for Junior and Juniorette.
There appears, as best we can tell, no reason that more young
Americans are not actively training for these
technician/craftsperson jobs than their failure to
comprehend economic reality. In our work, both as
educators/trainers and as consultants, we have met
a number of young people, of all races and ethnic
backgrounds, who have been handling this type of
work with excellent results. Their employers are
delighted with them and only wish they had more
like them. When they can’t find them
domestically, we get H-2B visas and the problems
attendant with them.
As the economy evolves and more workers want to move to
“upscale” jobs, young people and their parents
overlook the potential of high-end labor positions
at their and the country’s peril. These jobs are
important, add value to the economy, and ensure
the high standard of living of the next generation
of American citizens – but only if American
citizens fill a proportionate share of them.
Academic degrees – even the “dumbed down” versions being
offered in a number of colleges and universities
across the land wherein no one learns to write
-– are not accessible to everyone. The pressure
to obtain them, along with the perceived lifestyle
that goes along with them, is a formula for
frustration for young people who would be much
happier performing tangible work they can grasp.
So, let’s wake up, Mr. and Mrs. Longnose. Set realistic career
expectations for your children. If you don’t,
Ming, Trung, Miguel, Konstanz,
Rosalita and Dmitri are waiting to take your
child’s place. One day, they’ll be hiring
Junior to cut their lawn – if he’s lucky.
--
May 19, 2003
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