Work Ethic and Literacy Lacking in Many Young Adults

Mike Spinrad in his classroom

The Wall Street Journal surveyed leaders from American manufacturing companies in Unemployment Paradox: Why so many jobs go unfilled (link here). Part of the problem is due to a skills shortage in science, technology, engineering, and math.

But considerable evidence suggests that many employers would be happy just to find job applicants who have the sort of “soft” skills that used to be almost taken for granted. In a 2012 survey by Manpower Group, nearly 20% of employers cited a lack of soft skills as a key reason they couldn’t hire needed employees. “Interpersonal skills and enthusiasm/motivation” were among the most commonly cited as lacking. Employers also mention poor command of English. A survey in April of human-resources professionals compared the skills gap between older workers and younger workers. More than half of the organizations surveyed reported that simple grammar and spelling were the top “basic” skills among older workers that are not readily present among younger workers....That survey also found that “professionalism” or “work ethic” is the top “applied” skill that younger workers lack. A separate survey published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said that manufacturers were finding it harder to find punctual, reliable workers today than in 2007, despite today’s higher unemployment.

It is important for educators to emphasize the above "soft" skills as well as science and math. All high school teachers must insist on proper grammar, spelling, and syntax in both oral and written communications, presentations, and papers. I feel that teachers, in an effort to appear "hip" and engaging, do their students a disservice when they allow street talk, slang and email abbreviations in the classroom.

I am heartened that my high school administration is vigorously enforcing truancy and tardiness rules. Students should be allowed to fail once in a while (see "secret to success" article) and succeed only after expending considerable effort, developing grit and perseverance. Parents need to help their children develop these character traits. In a New York Times interview (link here), scholar Arthur Levine says:

This is a generation that was not allowed to skin their knees. They got awards and applause for everything they did, even if it was being the most improved, or the best trombone player born April 5. So it makes sense that they think very highly of their abilities, and expect to go on getting awards and applause.

Instead of letting their kids experience the real world, many parents advocate for their children even when they are away at college. It's time to give these young men and women more guidance in academic English and punctuality and less help in running the rest of their lives.