(11-20-2016, 10:42 PM)DHLawrence Wrote: [ -> ]But thanks to automation, the work brought back requires fewer workers.
True. But where will the tool and die makers. Mold makers come from in the future. China will have these skilled labourers and we wonnt. We will have a huge problem I think
These skilled trades do still exist, and people are gainfully employed in them. Far greater percentage of employment was lost in unskilled factory labour, which is more easily replaced through automation.
It's mostly overseas, tool and die making. At least, if I go by my former 5 year employer, and the 30+ machinists who worked there through that time. Many were tool and die guys, but the work went overseas, and this was what they could instead do to make a living. Not all companies can or do go local for even that, to boot.
(11-20-2016, 11:08 PM)tomh009 Wrote: [ -> ]These skilled trades do still exist, and people are gainfully employed in them. Far greater percentage of employment was lost in unskilled factory labour, which is more easily replaced through automation.
I agree, but they are farer and fewer between. And schools don't push the trades anymore. Have you seen a shop in a high school lately ?
My colleague just donated his old Honda to a local high school shop class, for which they were very grateful.
Trades are alive and well from what I've seen. All the new subdivisions, high rises etc. Framing/construction/plumbing/electrical/landscape/roofing.
Sure some of the manufacturing sector stuff is done elsewhere (tool & die, etc) but there is still a fair amount done locally. Good business can be had taking what's manufactured offshore and bringing it up to required tolerances/standards for North America. It's not going to be the unionized factory work from 40 years ago where a broom pusher retires with a pension, but the floor still needs to be swept.
(11-21-2016, 10:48 AM)Viewfromthe42 Wrote: [ -> ]My colleague just donated his old Honda to a local high school shop class, for which they were very grateful.
That is awesome !!
I'm always a bit scared when I read that somewhere around 30-40% of our entire economy is based on housing - building it, selling it, buying it, and everything relating to it. It's a very concentrated, and hence seemingly risky, way to be tied up.
(11-21-2016, 01:28 PM)Viewfromthe42 Wrote: [ -> ]I'm always a bit scared when I read that somewhere around 30-40% of our entire economy is based on housing - building it, selling it, buying it, and everything relating to it. It's a very concentrated, and hence seemingly risky, way to be tied up.
Me too. But the fact is, that's how most people live. Looking at the big picture: What else is economy based on outside of growth?
So, given the demand for growth there are a lot of people who earn a living to maintain this standard. Even a landlord/super/parent (for the basement dwellers) use trades to get things fixed. That's my point.
And Kudos for the old Honda. Did the same thing with my Nissan and saw it on the road a couple years ago. Probably still running
Article on a Kitchener company "Tulsar" that manufacturers control panels for wastewater pumping systems. According to the article the company is seeing a revitalization after a culture change. I have been through two similar transformations, real positive experience.
http://m.therecord.com/news-story/697439...for-growth
(11-05-2016, 08:59 PM)BuildingScout Wrote: [ -> ]Quote: On the local front, both Waterloo Region and Guelph saw their unemployment rates continue to trend downward.
Waterloo Region’s rate for October was measured at 5.1 per cent – its lowest level since July 2015 – while Guelph’s fell for the fifth straight month, sitting at 4.7 per cent.
http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/unemployment...-1.3146031
Since August I've seen quite a few "help wanted" signs in restaurants, coffee shops and supermarkets. I've read somewhere that economists consider this a sign of being close to full employment.
Unemployment in the RoW is now down to 5.0%
GHD is consolidating their local workforce (500 employees) into a single office space, located in a former BlackBerry building on Phillip St. This is great news as it will bring a large workforce to a building that has sat empty for a couple of years now.
http://m.therecord.com/news-story/705181...ea-quarter
(01-06-2017, 06:47 AM)rangersfan Wrote: [ -> ]GHD is consolidating their local workforce (500 employees) into a single office space, located in a former BlackBerry building on Phillip St. This is great news as it will bring a large workforce to a building that has sat empty for a couple of years now.
http://m.therecord.com/news-story/705181...ea-quarter
I was so excited when I saw the headline - I thought it was a new firm bringing 500 employees to town. Always read the article first!