Where will we find new employees?
Woodworking is high on the list of industries that are experiencing a shortage of skilled employees. With unemployment rates at the lowest level in decades and wages at their highest, the lack of skilled people is becoming more and more obvious.
Woodworking is high on the list of industries that are experiencing a shortage of skilled employees. With unemployment rates at the lowest level in decades and wages at their highest, the lack of skilled people is becoming more and more obvious.
We long ago abandoned industrialist arts programs in our schools, the focus being on white collar career paths, driving students into computer programming and investment banking and away from hands on work. This seemed like a good idea as long as there were plenty of others willing to work in what were seen as less prestigious occupations.
Now we are facing a situation in which we cannot find people who can just come into the shop and go to work. We are having to start at square one, training people in basic skills and at the same time, trying to get them to be productive.
It’s a difficult situation and not one that is going to be easy to correct.
David DeCristoforo possesses an extensive resume as designer/maker of fine furniture, high-end cabinetry and architectural woodwork. His experience in professional woodworking spans a period of 35 years. For the past 20 years David DeCristoforo Design has been located in Woodland, California. During this time David's shop has ranged in scope from a "full on" cabinet production shop with as many as 15 employees to a small fine furniture and custom millwork shop, working with his son, David RBJ, a highly skilled maker in his own right.
