I heard a similar story from a guy who opened up a manufacturing plant, and all he was looking for was people to run the automated machinery. He needed basic math and reading skills, and the pay was decent enough, maybe 2-3 times minimum. He had many applicants, but the vast majority couldn't even pass the basic math and reading skills. I don't know if he ever was able to fill the jobs.
Other areas, such as real estate, have been devastated. It's not easy to retrain, either. It takes about 10 years to master anything, and if you haven't mastered it, you're back at the bottom with the low-level people clawing your way up.
When you collect together the people who can't find work, the people who have no usable skills, the people who could take another job but won't start a career all over again, and the people who prefer unemployment, yes 20% is possible.
“He needed basic math and reading skills, and the pay was decent enough, maybe 2-3 times minimum. He had many applicants, but the vast majority couldn’t even pass the basic math and reading skills.”
Oh Baloney.
I know plenty of people with sharp math and English skills, drug free, good workers and eminently trainable who can’t find a job because every employer wants 5 years of technical training, 10 years of experience and wants to pay a buck above minimum wage.
If you (generic, not you specifically) aren’t willing to train an American before you hire someone from outside the country you deserve to go out of business. The problem isn’t with the workforce, it’s with employers spoilt by illegal immigrants they can abuse and fire at will and H1-B slaves who will work for less than a fellow citizen. I could point your friend to a half dozen three digit IQ folks who can learn anything and will be there on time any day, any shift, and if he wanted to he, or you, could find dozens in any city of any size.