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Matchmaker

This seems like a good goal. The technology is certainly possible. One would think that a matching software already exists in some form with dating and other job sites. I hope they look into that before trying to create it from scratch.

It’s often called one of the leading impediments for Wisconsin’s manufacturing-heavy economy: the inability to find qualified or willing job candidates for production jobs even at a time of high unemployment.

And after a decade of ceaseless industry complaints, white papers and debate, the state Department of Workforce Development on Tuesday promised to have its own answer to the problem up and running by the first quarter of 2014, at least in some rudimentary form.

The agency wants to start an online database with analytic software that will attempt to match the skills of those collecting unemployment insurance with job openings. The idea is to collect so much information on job seekers and job opportunities that the system eventually will include a predictive algorithm that will help technical schools and universities figure out what skills are expected to be in demand in a dynamic economy in time to educate a generation of workers.

The matchmaking system ideally will communicate directly with job applicants using smartphone apps, “because that’s what young people are familiar with,” said Jonathan Barry, deputy secretary of the state workforce agency.

Posted by Owen at 1303 hrs
Economy + Politics + Politics - Wisconsin + Technology

1. For determining skills in demand there’s already an algorithm in place: price.  What the manufacturers in the article want is to avoid paying the market price for skilled labor and also avoid doing the training themselves.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 28, 2012 at 1333 hrs
   
   
   

2. This idea steams me in a number of ways, none of which I’m sure are rational.

   First, the state recently put in place the W3 program, which is designed to help people get off of unemployment.  Do we know any results of that program yet?  I signed up for this program, and have not heard boo.  Neither of the two potential employers to whom I mentioned this program seemed interested.

   Second, as one who is job searching, I have to say I check the state website often, and I get very few possibilities in relation to other sites.  Has anyone looked at the effectiveness of this site?  What could be done to make this site better?

   BVBigBro has a point.  I left my last job at over $16 per hour.  Comparable ones are being listed at $12-13.  I’ve seen them as low as $8-10.  I understand and accept I may go into a new position at less than I was making, but wow.  I’ve done a couple of temp jobs, and even what the temp jobs is paying is going down.  The current trend seems to be to go to school, get educated, most likely incur debt to do so, and then try to get a job (remember, you have no experience) that will fill the belly with a bit of luck and not do much to chip away at the debt. 

   To those who say that I should grab anything, just to have a job, I understand where you are coming from, and to a point agree.  However, should I take a low paying job that won’t pay the bills, end up homeless, and/or jump ship as soon as something better comes along? 

   I understand and agree with the stance that we should not
   tax job creators.  But what if they don’t create jobs? 

   I’m not sure that we need a fancy new program to do this.  How about something simpler like if an employer has an opening and fills it with a person who is collecting UC, they get a credit of, say, $1000 on their next payment?

   If we do need a new program, how about letting students at state universities design and implement it?  As one who has a computer degree, I can tell you that students would jump at the chance to do something like this, and be able to list the experience on their resume.  I bet it would be a whole lot cheaper, too.  and you would have the best minds in the field overseeing the work.

   yes, I know I’m babbling, and for those who I offended by it, I apologize.

   I just want a job!

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 28, 2012 at 1408 hrs
   
   
   

3. For determining skills in demand there’s already an algorithm in place: price.

   And domestically, that price is coming down and will continue to do so, BBB

   As far as GenMet goes;

   “This is the biggest thing controlling the growth of my business,” she said. “I could have doubled my business last year if I could have found the right people.”

   Fool or Liar?

    

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 28, 2012 at 2055 hrs
   
   
   

4. Fool.  If someone is going to provide you additional labor at below market prices you should be able to do better than double your business.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 28, 2012 at 2118 hrs
   
   
   

5. I agree BBB:)

   Although I suspect a bit of Liar as well.

   It fits the political meme that we will see peddled here in the state in the upcoming legislative session.

   Gee, I wonder if GenMet is a union shop?

   I left my last job at over $16 per hour.  Comparable ones are being listed at $12-13.

   Welcome to the new normal Missus M.

   Anybody know if the cost/wages for roadbuilders has come down?

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 29, 2012 at 0820 hrs
   
   
   

6. I believe most road building in Wisconsin is subject to prevailing wage,fu.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 29, 2012 at 0841 hrs
   
   
   

7. Thanks BBB.

   Any links you know of tha might provide some historical data?

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 29, 2012 at 0900 hrs
   
   
   

8. “What could be done to make this site better?”

   Plenty. But government programs are often measured by how much was spent (inputs) instead of outputs (how many found jobs through the site). Overall, IMHO all state employment services have a poor reputation- both for job seekers and for employers.

   For example, I have a memory of asking a state employment service (no, not this one) for employees to work in a warehouse. The only real requirement was, no convictions for theft<i> (because they had to be bonded). The state sent me one candidate after another <i>with convictons for theft!

   “should I take a low paying job that won’t pay the bills, end up homeless, and/or jump ship as soon as something better comes along?”

   Well (advice is cheap, and often worth what you paid for it) you should take the low-paying job, reduce expenses to pay the bills, and jump ship as soon as something better comes along.

   Why? Because employers discriminate against long-term unemployed; doing something- just about anything that’s legal- to support yourself looks better. And, truly, most of us have worked for some very, very bad employers just because nothing better was available.

   Although I’d have to agree that the economic outlook for new grads does look dismal- low economic growth for as far as the eye can see. Blame Obama if you want (and his administration surely doesn’t help), but, companies have mostly learned to maintain revenues with less headcount. And if an algorithm can do your job, it’s probably just a matter of time before you are replaced by it.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 29, 2012 at 0906 hrs
   
   
   

9. For Wisconsin I would start here, fu. 

   http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/pwfnl/PwfnlList.asp

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 29, 2012 at 0910 hrs
   
   
   

10. Thanks again BBB.

    Just what I was looking for:)

    Missus M, might I suggest a change in career paths?

    A “Flagperson or Traffic Control Person”  makes a basic hourly rate of $20.83: fringe benefits of $17.85; for a total of $38.68 per HOUR.

    And they seem to have trended up in excess of COL adjustments over the last few years.

    Maybe it’s just an outlier?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 29, 2012 at 0934 hrs
    
    
    

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