Economy |
- Lack of industry (manufacturing).
- Anti-labor feeling in TC & nation; perception of "greed" by
labor; national lack of understanding by business owners of the
need for a living wage and its impact on community. Sub-standard
wages lead to sub-standard community.
- Use of illegal aliens; misuse of independent contractors;
- Employers have higher expectations of workers coming in; less
willing to train workers;
- TC Chamber advertised 15 years ago the slogan "Half the pay
is a view of the Bay" to attract businesses with cheap labor.
- Economy is tighter; may close remote locations due to shipping
costs.
- Manufacturing outsourcing because of lower-wages;
|
Government |
- Elementary & Secondary Education Act
("No Child Left Behind").
- More government regulation.
- Unfunded mandates - State and Federal.
- Lack of funding (State & Federal); decrease in government
funding during economic down times.
- National political climate affects postal workers; major mailers
lobby Congress to limit costs; could result in major changes
to our collective bargaining rights.
- Insurance and employment laws drive need for training (e.g. Scaffold,
Certification, Hazmat).
- Higher requirements (government, insurance industry).
- Multi-employer programs with their own training
|
Technology |
- Decreasing volume in Post Office as other
electronic communications expand and more people accept this
way of doing business.
- Increased technology will decrease our manual work force and
expand our maintenance work force and they will be more involved
in electronics.
- Employers expect technical skills.
|
Demographics |
- Changing demographics: declining school
enrollment; high cost of living and housing in Traverse City.
- Lack of skilled manufacturing trades people.
- Loss of student population.
- Workers from other countries without visas.
|
| Education |
- Initial testing to get in. Electronics
knowledge will help our people pass tests.
|
