NORMAN — For the millions of Americans who are unemployed not by choice, there is little to celebrate today, Labor Day,
It’s traditionally a time to close the plant gate or the office doors and honor the working man and working woman who toil daily to feed and clothe their families, provide shelter and a little financial security down the road.
But nearly 10 percent of the nation’s population remains unemployed with little to rejoice. Studies show the hardest hit are low income, low-skill workers.
More than half of the Americans who have been out of work for more than six months hold only a high school diploma or less.
Job creation seems to be top of mind in Washington. President Obama on Tuesday talked about energizing the economy with the same enthusiasm as we stormed Iraq seven years ago.
Congress is set to take up bills concerning job creation and a small business stimulus.
It might take more than that. The nation’s low skilled workers need retraining to compete for modern jobs.
It’s not enough to be willing to work. Workers must be “shovel ready” when the jobs do come back.
