The definitions of unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled labor
Each job needs a specific set of skills, but that doesn't always mean everyone has the skills and requirements needed for the role.
Some people are missing out on advanced jobs because they don't have the necessary education for the role, while others with years of experience are being passed over in favor of those without experience and a college degree.
Even entry-level jobs are becoming harder to fill, either because no one wants them or because the degree requirements are causing a financial setback that doesn't compensate for the low salary employees will receive.
Unskilled labor
Unskilled work basically means that the work will be performed by someone who has no specific skills and almost no formal education. The work is often easy, although in construction and other workplaces it is physically demanding and has long working hours.
There aren't many unskilled jobs left as everything seems to need some kind of knowledge. Whether it's computers or another type of technology, everyone will need to know something to get a job in the future.
Examples of unskilled work:
- Grocery store clerks
- Fast food workers
- Parking attendants
- Cleaning service
Semi-skilled labor
Semi-skilled labor is a step above unskilled labor, with jobs requiring partial skills but not enough to require advanced training or certification. Most employees in semiskilled jobs have completed high school but have not advanced far enough in college to earn a degree.
The skills that workers have for these jobs, along with the new skills they learn as they work, are often transferable to jobs they may have in the future.
Examples of semi-skilled labor:
- Sellers
- Flight attendants
- Restaurant Servers
- Truck Drivers
- Security guards
Qualified labor
Workers who have advanced training, certification, and higher education are considered part of the skilled workforce. These jobs require knowledge of specific skills that can only be learned in school, workshops and, eventually, experience in the field. The demand for skilled labor will continue to grow as technology advances in the future.
Examples of qualified labor:
- Nurses
- Electricians
- Construction workers
- Cops
This country has already seen major changes between these three job categories. Decades ago, unskilled workers could find jobs almost everywhere they lived. However, for the past ten to fifteen years, these same workers have struggled to hold down the unskilled jobs they can find. And many of them are losing the battle because those same jobs now require a person who falls into the semi-skilled labor category to fill them.
In the past, construction companies could hire unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers to complete their projects. However, due to changes in the field and the necessary things construction workers need to know to do their jobs, these hiring requirements are changing.
Currently, skilled labor is needed on many construction sites and the demand is greater than ever. Unfortunately, there are not enough workers to fill these vacancies, or at least that is what people think.
According to recent surveys in the construction industry, certain skilled jobs, such as electricians and welders, are highly sought after, while many others are average. Companies across the country are looking for qualified workers and that is what is causing the shortage in the construction sector.
After all, these construction workers can use their skills for another job where the hours are shorter and the work is not as physically demanding. Furthermore, if they receive the same salary or even more, no one can blame them for using their skills wisely and changing jobs.
Most of today's skilled workers are professionals, which means they are some of the experts in their chosen field. They can solve problems, use technology to operate computers and other equipment, calculate project measurements and costs, build things, fix almost anything, and even use robots to do even more than they used to do in their line of work.
These professional skills can be learned through on-the-job training, but this takes a lot of time. After all, no construction project is the same and new problems always arise that need to be resolved.
Everyone will need to find a way to learn some type of skill so they can find a job in the future. Some people may choose to do an internship for practical training, while others will ultimately make the choice to continue their studies so that they can be included on the list of potential candidates for open positions.
