Virtually all of my friends who own or run companies say their biggest issue these days is finding skilled people to fill middle level jobs. There is a dearth of properly educated talent in virtually every field, and it is not a matter of pay. It is a lack of a good education and a good solid work experience and training. Many jobs go unfilled today because the skill set is just not showing up to be hired. Part of the problem might be that well qualified people are so rare they are well compensated and well regarded in their existing job so they have no incentive to leave unless the offered pay is far higher. But if someone is earning a good income for their level, and if they are being treated well, why leave for a relatively small jump in pay unless it is to a company that offers a much better career path long term or a stock option or other equity incentive.

In my view the real issue is we are not educating kids in school today to a proper level to be properly prepared for the high tech world we are now entering. The teachers unions have pretty much severely damaged the whole generation of kids by refusing to allow bad teachers to be fired and by not allowing schools to have teachers put in the hours after class or in proper preparation. For most young teachers who come into the system all revved to really do a great job, it is a crushing set of rules that stops them harshly from doing the extra things that would have made a difference to the kids. I know several young teachers who quit after a couple of years because the union would not let them do the extra things they knew were needed to give the kids that extra push to achieve.

All you need to do is look at the results of charter schools vs public schools to see the obvious difference. It is glaring. Charter schools are non union. Teachers are mentored and encouraged to go the extra mile. They are encouraged to make the kids the best they can be and at no extra cost per child. Money is not the issue. No unions is the issue. Freedom to teach the best they can do is the way charters work. Just get through the day, and do not do anything extra or special, is the way public schools work. When you know you cannot ever be fired and that even if you are found guilty of sexual predator actions, the union will still protect your pension and healthcare, what incentive do you have to try to do anything outside the confines of union rules. All you get is pounded down if you do.