A situation has emerged in America because of baby boomers or those born after World War II because they are on the verge of retirement and once they call it a day, there will be a huge vacuum of male workers. The areas most affected would be those associated with activities like construction workers, truck drivers and others in similar professions which are basically male bastions. Therefore, for survival, these industries are trying to woo women workers.
The baby boomer problem
New Zealand Herald reports that the problem of baby boomers cannot be wished away because by 2029, people in this category would have crossed the age of 65 which would mean one-fifth of Americans would have reached retirement age.
To add to the woes of industries, there is reluctance on the part of workers to take up careers in the trades and this is evident from the drop in enrolment in vocational education. The drop as per analysis carried out by National Education Association is from 4.2 credits in 1990 to 3.6.
In view of loss of male workers, one alternative is to go in for women workers who will have to look after jobs that are predominantly in the male bastion.
Strategies to overcome the setback
One of the strategies is to counter the effects of baby boomers is to offer more paid maternity leave to pregnant women and new mothers but the question remains on how effective this would be in view of the limited number of women who could avail such coverage.
The American Trucking Associations has indicated that its requirement of new drivers to keep up with the demand would be almost one million new drivers by 2024 who will be replacements for retired drivers. Some of the companies are examining various options to give incentives to women workers who drive trucks and heavy vehicles.
A similar situation is there in the requirement for technicians in the trucking and automotive sectors which are presently considered to be in the male bastion. These sectors employ a high percentage of men and are feeling the pinch of dwindling applicants.
Tony Molla, vice president of the Automotive Service Association, a national industry group admits that there is a shortage of individuals capable of undertaking diagnostic work.
The number of new technicians graduating annually are mostly men and the numbers are inadequate.
What is the solution?
The problem is very much there and a solution has to be evolved. Industries are examining all possible means to induct women workers into jobs that traditionally belonged to the male bastion. Unless the problem is resolved it would lead to bottlenecks in production. Those who are responsible for planning manpower should have borne in mind the fact that the future scenario would witness the problem of the baby boomers. The planners should have taken corrective action in time to avoid the crisis.
