[rit]

``We used to think that displaced workers, given new training, could move up the value chain,'' former U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky said in an interview. ``There is now a question about whether that upward movement will be possible.''

This is a significant issue. IT professionals often work in specific fields (i.e., C#, Vbasic, Oracle Admin, ...etc). Technology changes and their skill sets are no longer meaningful. It used to be that job placement with retraining was possible. Now, however, retraining cast the IT professional at a disadvantage in that they have no on-the-job experience in that new field. Thus, more incentive to outsource overseas at cheaper rates. This is not going to be fixed anytime soon.

[stylin_geek]

What is also getting out of hand is how many companies want someone who can write VB, C#, C++, set up and administer a web server, then, a little later on, bring up a couple of file servers, and add them to the network. All while maintaining an Exchange server, and troubleshooting network problems.