Triad needs to recruit more 21st century jobs
The “Triad’s silver linings” of new jobs the editors tout (editorial, April 3) are tinged with tarnish.
While it is true that practically any job is a good job in a deep recession, a disconcerting lack of forward-thinking local leadership is reflected in the fact that none of the industries mentioned as bringing employment to the Triad are in the fields that will drive the reshaping of our economy for the 21st century.
As businesses and consumers retool to meet the challenges of reducing energy use, cutting harmful emissions, and acting in ways that enhance our health and quality of life, the industries currently growing in our communities will become less relevant.
The 1,000 worldwide layoffs FedEx announced this week cast further doubt on staking the region’s economic future on the success of the shipper’s soon-to-open hub.
We, as a community, need to be proactive in making the Triad into a leader in sustainable industries that will endure and lead the way in the new economy.
People should be put to work retrofitting buildings and infrastructure to conserve resources and designing and building technologies that will enhance our standard of living as well as the health of both ourselves and the natural systems upon which life depends.
Malcolm Kenton
Greensboro
Comments (2)
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"People should be put to work retrofitting buildings and infrastructure to conserve resources and designing and building technologies that will enhance our standard of living"
Yes, comrade. Viva la revolution de verde!
Posted on April 8, 2009 6:36 AM
"The 1,000 worldwide layoffs FedEx announced this week cast further doubt on staking the region’s economic future on the success of the shipper’s soon-to-open hub."
The world is in a recession, the economy has good and bad times. The recession will end eventually and companies like Fedex will resume hiring. These are jobs that cannot be outsourced to China or elsewhere so I see them as sustainable jobs that will endure.
Perhaps space was limited, but I wish the author had provided other examples of sustainable jobs other than retrofitting buildings and infrastructure.
Posted on April 8, 2009 9:57 AM