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Productivity Down in First Quarter 2014

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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its revised estimate of productivity and costs for the first quarter of 2014. According to this report productivity in the “Non-farm” sector fell drastically.  “The decrease in productivity was the largest since the first quarter of 2008 (-3.9 percent).”

Productivity is a measure of how much stuff is produced per hour of labor (not including farming).  It is “annualized” based on “seasonally adjusted” numbers.

Productivity Q1 2014

Due in part to the drastic drop in productivity, businesses suffered a massive increase in labor costs as they increased 5.7% on an annual basis.

Labor Costs

Manufacturing Productivity Up

Even though Non-farm productivity was down drastically (-3.5%) the decrease was limited to the “Business” sector with “manufacturing” productivity actually up 3.8% and it’s subset durable manufacturing up 4.1%.  Durable goods are things that do not wear out quickly such as household appliances, cars, consumer electronics, furniture, sports equipment, firearms, and toys.

Business sector output does not include government, non-profit institutions or private households but even so it makes up 76% of the entire Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

So although business productivity was down manufacturing productivity was actually up.

Is a Career as a Welder for You?

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Critical Skills Beginning Welders Need to Master

The welding trades provide opportunities for more than 350,000 individuals in the United States alone. As of 2012, there were 357,400 welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in the United States, making on average $17.45 an hour or $36,300 annually. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,720, and the top 10 percent earned more than $56,130. The primary job of a welder is to join pieces of metal with a weld. Such individuals are employed in the manufacturing, shipbuilding, and construction industries. A person with a high school diploma (or equivalency degree) and some additional training is qualified to become a welder.

Becoming a welder requires you to master certain critical skills necessary to be successful. Some of these critical skills include having an understanding of the different types of welds, mastering amperage and filler speed, and understanding how to choose the correct filler rods.

Understanding the Different Types of Welds

ID-100129011There are many different types of welds for different types of welding jobs. The most common types are arc, electroslag, flux-cored, gas metal-Arc, gas tungsten-arc, metal inert gas (MIG), plasma arc, shielded-metal arc, submerged arc, and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding. Arc welding refers to the use of an electric current that is transmitted from a welding device to a surface that is being welded. The amp of arc welding first came into existence in 1802 and is the lowest costing welding process. An electroslag is used for angles, while flux-core welding is seen as an alternative to stick welding.

Welding processes in the automotive and manufacturing industry use gas metal or gas tungsten arc welding. Plasma arc and shielded-metal arc welding are also processes that are used in manufacturing. Working with stainless steel requires a mastery of the tungsten inert gas or TIG welding process. If you really want to get exotic you can learn [Read more…] about Is a Career as a Welder for You?

5 More Dangerous Jobs

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Recently we posted Demanding Jobs: Rigorous Physical Careers and so this month we are going to follow up with 5 more dangerous jobs. ~Tim McMahon, editor

Dangerous Work: Five Jobs With the Most Risk

Workplace safety is often taken for granted, considering that the majority of jobs have virtually nonexistent injury rates. But on the other hand, it can be appalling to look at some of the hazards faced in certain other workplaces today. Although new technology is constantly improving workplace safety, several occupations in particular remain quite hazardous.

Highway Construction

Construction workers in general face numerous workplace hazards, but combine the usual risks, with vehicles speeding past just feet from the work site, and you end up with one of the highest workplace injury rates in the country. Authorities have implemented measures such as lane closures, and stiff penalties for speeding in construction zones, which have been met with mixed success at keeping highway construction workers safe. 1.6% of all car accidents happen in construction zones and more than 20,000 workers are injured in road construction work zones each year resulting in over 500 fatalities a year.

Mining

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Mining Fatalities are Falling
Click for Larger Image

Tunneling into the ground to extract minerals has been [Read more…] about 5 More Dangerous Jobs

Tips for Selecting the Right Technical Training Program

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With the abundance of college graduates with degrees in “soft” subjects like Psychology, Drama, Anthropology, Liberal Arts, English and History  unable to find jobs when they graduate you might think that a more job specific major like Business, Economics or Criminal Justice might be more appropriate. But recent findings by Payscale have found that Criminal Justice majors have little advantage over High School grads and end up working security or as entry level police officers, Economics majors “should have learned in Econ 101: In the job market, the supply of econ majors outstrips demand”. And even business majors “need a concentration in quantitative courses such as statistics or finance” in order to succeed.

So unless you want to major in one of the “hard science” subjects like Engineering or Computer Science you might be better off skipping college and attending a Technical School that will train you for a specific profession. ~Tim McMahon, editor.

Technical Training Programs

Technical TrainingTechnical schools–also known as vocational schools, trade schools or career colleges–prepare students for specific jobs that they can pursue after graduation. Occupations taught at technical schools include electronics technician, automotive technician, welder, paralegal, licensed practical nurse, radiology, medical assistant, hair stylist and truck driver. [Read more…] about Tips for Selecting the Right Technical Training Program

What it Takes to Get a Job in Healthcare

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Jobs in healthcare have a large number of entry points, depending on the type of job you intend to get. Healthcare jobs are in high demand currently, and as the population ages, the demand for these jobs is only going to increase. Here are some tips to get you started in your job search and ways to know if you have what it takes.

Professional School

Healthcare jobsAt the high end, healthcare jobs require extensive education, including an undergraduate degrees, as well as one to three years in professional school, residency, and internship requirements. Surgeons are, of course, at the top of this healthcare career chain, but nurse practitioners, midwives, and even some therapists are included under this umbrella. In order to get a job in healthcare through this route, it is necessary to prepare diligently from an early age.

Nursing School

Nursing school lasts [Read more…] about What it Takes to Get a Job in Healthcare

Demanding Jobs: Rigorous Physical Careers

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Working conditions have improved immensely in recent decades. Much has changed since the Industrial Revolution days, when workers had no choice but to endure perilous machinery, and exposure to toxic chemicals. However, the issues of workplace health and safety are far from resolved. By their very nature, many jobs still expose employees to physical hazards and/or require lots of physical activity. Let’s take a look at which jobs take the biggest physical toll on workers.

Factory work: Overbearing Overtime

Dangerous JobsWhile it is true that some manufacturing jobs are relatively easy, others are not so laid back.  At the very least most manufacturing jobs require standing for hours on end, but it may also entail the constant lifting of heavy objects and long hours. This can compound the health problems that factory workers often experience, such as fatigue, exhaustion, and [Read more…] about Demanding Jobs: Rigorous Physical Careers

Changing Directions: Five Careers to Get You Ahead

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As the economy continues to repair itself after the fallout of the 2008 mortgage crisis, many workers are finding that a new career, or a career switch is becoming an ever-more attractive idea. There are many ways to switch careers or begin new paths in life, and here are just a few career options for people hoping to make a positive impact on their future job satisfaction and earnings.

1) Software Developer

Changing CareersLooking at job listings for working in software, you’d hardly know the world is suffering from a recession. Software development is a skill that can be developed at a university, or outside of one (self taught IT workers are very common), and salaries can be very strong. If computers are your passion, this may be the path for you. Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or other device. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Software Developers in 2010 earned an average of $90,530 per year. The BLS projects that the job outlook for 2010 -2020 expects much faster than average growth for the field.

2) Graphic Designer

Aspiring workers in graphic design can expect to [Read more…] about Changing Directions: Five Careers to Get You Ahead

6 Reasons Employers Prefer Experience

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After you’ve spent years studying, you may think that your degree will be all that potential employers are interested in. However, a study carried out by High Fliers, a graduate recruitment research company, reveals that graduates with work experience, or who have undertaken an internship while at university, are much more successful in securing employment.

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Without experience a new graduate is just a big question-mark.

According to the UK Graduates Careers Survey, published in June 2013, graduates who had gained practical experience in the workplace were three times more likely to secure a job than their inexperienced counterparts. Researchers from High Fliers spoke with 18,000 graduates from 30 universities across the UK.

1. Basic Workplace Skills:

Employers are looking for graduates who understand how a workplace operates. The rules that apply to attendance, timekeeping and deadlines at university are perceived to be more lenient than those that apply in the workplace. Employers do not want to spend the first few months of a graduates’ employment educating them about basic workplace rules and etiquette. If you have a proven work history, even if it is not in the same field, you can [Read more…] about 6 Reasons Employers Prefer Experience

A Look at Jobs in the Computer Repair Industry

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With the ever-evolving advances in technology, people upgrade to newer computer models as soon as they hit the market. However, even with all of the bells and whistles a new computer offers, most users only need a basic operating system for their daily computer use. Many individuals who require only the basics for their personal and professional needs opt to have their tried and true computers repaired, instead of investing in a new one. This, combined with users donating old or broken computers once they have purchased a new one, makes the computer repair industry a profitable one. Below is a closer look at the computer repair industry and the perks of becoming a computer technician.

Training And Education

Computer TechnicianEven if repairing computers is something that comes naturally to you, you will find more employment opportunities after getting a formal education. There are many different types of training and education programs available, but the best are the ones that give you CompTIA A+ Certification, Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist Certification (MCTS), and Microsoft Certified IT Professional Certification (MCITP). Look for local vocational schools and colleges that offer these certifications, some of which can be obtained as quickly as 36 weeks.

Once you get your initial certification it is important to maintain your skills by attending refresher courses and ongoing training that covers new advances in technology that could affect your job as a computer technician. Sometimes your employer will provide [Read more…] about A Look at Jobs in the Computer Repair Industry

The 7 “P’s” Job Interview Tips

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The hardest part of getting any job is the application and interview process. This is the part where you have to show that you are better than the dozens or even hundreds of other applicants. At this stage it is essential to illustrate your particular skills, show the qualifications you have and the industry training courses you may have taken. This is not a time to be modest.

Once you get an interview you know that on paper the company is interested. But of course you need to show in person that you are someone who they can rely on and get on with too. You should relax as much as you can and try and be yourself – well your professional self anyway. So here are 7 tips to help:

“P” #1: Be Prepared

Interview TipsAlways prepare properly, don’t just turn up on the day of the interview and expect that you will be able to answer everything without any preparation. Go online and research the company that you have an interview for and you will be prepared to answer various things on what the company does.

Of course, you’ll never be able to [Read more…] about The 7 “P’s” Job Interview Tips