JOHN E. SETTLE JR. EDITOR FOCUS SB NEWS
Practically everyone over the age of (fill in the blank) is familiar with Pete Seeger's modern folkstyle song, "Where Have All The Flowers Gone?"
"Where have all the flowers gone, long time passing?
“Where have all the flowers gone, long time ago?
“Where have all the flowers gone?
“Young girls have picked them everyone,
“Oh, when will they ever learn?
“Oh, when will they ever learn?"
The lyrics continue, substituting young girls, husbands, soldiers and graveyards for "flowers."
Seeger wrote the melody and the first three verses in 1953. Additional verses were added in 1960 by Joe Hickerson, who turned it into a circular song.
An updated version for employers today in northwest Louisiana could go like this:
"Where have all the workers gone, long time passing?
“Where have all the workers gone, long time ago?
“Where have all the workers gone?
“Gone to retirement,
“Gone to work at home,
“Gone to care for children,
“Gone for lack of entry level skills,
“Gone to COVID burnout/anxiety,
“Gone for more pay, less hours and more flexibility,
“Where have all the workers gone, long time passing?
“Where have all the workers gone, long time ago?
“Where have all the workers gone?
“Oh, when will the employers ever learn?
“Oh, when will the employers ever learn?"
The shortage of needed workers is not isolated to this region. It is a growing nationwide issue.
Many new job opportunities will become available during 2022, most notably the 1,500 workers needed for the Amazon fulfillment center.
As it is, many employers need workers now, if not yesterday. How this demand/supply scenario for employers plays out this next year is a big unknown.
THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE January 14 ISSUE OF FOCUS SB - THE INQUISITOR. SUBSCRIBE TODAY AT http://www.theinquisitor.com