Investing in Retraining the Workforce

In another time line, I was struck by the focused difference in unemployment between "there" and "here". In this other time line, when someone was laid off, riffed, or lost their job, part of the normal unemployment process of the US Government was to help re-educate the person with new and marketable skills. The focus in that time line was not just on keeping a person afloat with a limited pay check and tracking to make sure he/she was actively seeking work, the focus in this other time line was to reinvest in helping the person develop new skills.

I was impressed with the heightened awareness in this other time line, that through our extended life we need different skills as companies and work continues to evolve. There was a recognition a person needs to be and feel productive throughout their life and for most this comes through employment. To keep someone employed through out an entire life time, the solution was to re-invest in training and marketable skills for individuals through out their life.

In this time line there was educational and training opportunities for all ages. High School students didn't graduate unless they had a marketable skill, for example.

I also saw the training program available for everyone, including senior citizens. Retirement in our time line often produces isolation, loneliness, and even mental stagnation. In this time line the focus switched to continued productivity; not for everyone, but for many.

This time line was not perfect. There was a tendency for people to not take their own initiative to learn and develop new skills until it was mandatory (such as waiting until they were laid off). But in this time line there was a lower unemployment rate and a redirected focus toward reinvestment through re-educating the workforce. It was an interesting and effective model in reducing unemployment and stabilizing their economy.