 |
| https://media.wired.com/ |
The economic principle I researched was institutions are the “rules of the game” that influence choices. An example of this are customs, morals, and influences to people’s decisions. Incentives are brought to us through money or influence by others but ultimately they influence our choices. There are many examples of how this principle can be applied to the real world. While researching my topic: How should society bring back trade jobs and change the rules that govern trade & manufacturing? I found many examples of why individuals were drawn away from trade jobs and how as a nation we need to adapt. No doubt there has been the rapid change that has brought people away from blue collar jobs. This has been because of the way the public perceives these positions. Individuals think they are above working with their hands and prioritize work through the computer or some form of technology.
In my first blog post, I focused on the public’s perception of those who work trade jobs. Unfortunately, over the past few decades the people access someone’s intelligence based on the occupation they choose. From my experience of working with carpenter’s, some of these men are the smartest people I have met. However, reasons beyond their control force them out of school and into blue collar jobs. The pay they receive is not well but enough to keep them afloat. Our country was built by those who used their hands and blue collar workers deserve the respect that they have earned.
Secondly, much of these jobs in blue collar are at threat by technology. For example, a carpenter’s job outlook is at 6%(14% is the national average). These numbers drive people away from trade jobs. Technology is being created every day that can do the jobs we do faster and with more efficiency. Just ask Sam, the bricklaying robot. These are the numbers that should scare everyone. The robot can do the work that it takes two skilled bricklayers to do in a week in simply six hours. And that is also for virtually no pay. The future of robotics and technology is part of why nobody wants to work blue collar.
However, in my third post I talked about what we must do. With all the rapid change that is happening with technology people need to change in order to still have employment. The future is in those who make these pieces of technology. Coding and engineering is being called the blue collar job of today. There are programs which enable people to train to code and be proficient in several different languages. The pay in these jobs are also almost double of those in blue collar. Just like our society was built by those who built things with their hands, our future is to be built on those who design and code products with their hands. While we may not ever be able to bring back and restore blue collar jobs, the best thing we can do is prepare the future to adapt to the jobs available.
