Must love heavy metal: Local manufacturers feeling that worker shortage too (Minnesota)

The Detroit Lakes Tribune ^ | February 26, 2017 | Kaysey Price

[2banana]

Get your one way ticket to midnight...

[Lurker]

I’m seriously thinking about learning CNC machining. After 20 years in IT I’m ready for a change.

L

[IronJack]

I keep telling my son he should get into welding. He loved it during high school. But he prefers to make excuses and bum money off me ...

[blueplum]

The Detroit Lakes area is feeling that shortage not just at BTD, but at various manufacturing businesses around town.

The labor shortage is caused by inability to pass entry and random drug tests, which machine shops require. There is the same 'shortage' in the transportation industry.

[SnuffaBolshevik]

"The labor shortage is caused by inability to pass entry and random drug tests"

So true.

My father operated heavy equipment into his 80s. When asked why he was still around, his boss said "He shows up every Monday morning and passes the drug test every time."

[digger48]

Wasn’t it Rubio who was chided for saying something like...”We need more welders and less Philosophers”?

I don’t care for Foam Boy, but he was “spot” on with that comment.

A good welder works his butt off, but earns a damn good paycheck.

[posterchild]

Are there really that many people who cannot pass a drug test? What is the consumption level per capita?

[Vince Ferrer]

I’m seriously thinking about learning CNC machining. After 20 years in IT I’m ready for a change.

I am in IT as well, and have always had an admiration for skilled machinists. I used to work in aerospace in a factory. That would be my second career if I ever have one.

[Lurker]

I worked in a machine shop in my early 20s, and enjoyed it. Except for the machine oil spraying everywhere. Those days are gone now. Much cleaner.

L

[SnuffaBolshevik]

It (drug use) seems to be rampant in the blue collar trades.

I don’t know why but I doubt baristas and stock brokers, etc. have to pee in a bottle like pilots and crane operators do.

Not to mention reporters and newscasters.

[Fred Hayek]

I went into the industrial automation/ process control long ago. Much more interesting when you start dealing with the material balance in a refinery. It’s a multi discipline field.

[posterchild]

Of all the people i know only one is a regular user of illegal substances - a former journalist.

[Lurker]

At 56 it may be a bit late to make that big a change. LOL

Thanks,

L

[central_va]

In fact, the manufacturing industry is hurting for workers due to a worker shortage sweeping the nation with the retirement of the Baby Boomers.

Gee, labor is affected by supply and demand like any other commodity. So raise wages and workers will come.

[central_va]

Welders make $16/hr. average. The HR mafia holds down wages nationwide by paying according to some arbitrary scale. The laws of supply and demand are not allowed to work for labor.

[central_va]

Many big IT firms require drug screening.

[wastedyears]

Did someone say heavy metal?

[Flag_This]

Was their song of the same name the inspiration for your screen name?

[wastedyears]

Yes it was. :)