In my classes, I spend a lot of time teaching my students about the nature of deindustrialization and our contemporary postindustrial economy -- how it has shifted from one based on manufacturing and blue-collar occupations to one based on services (low-skill and high-skill). But lo and behold, CBS News reports that the Labor Department is noting that there is actually a labor shortage in many blue collar occupations and that the demand for blue collar workers is actually on the increase:

The Labor Department predicts 2.5 million new skilled trade workers will be needed over the next 8 years. The main reason for the blue collar comeback is the aging of America. Because the baby boomers are retiring, huge worker shortages are developing now in auto repair, health care, construction and all of the skilled trades, starting with electricians. . .

But you can’t fill these blue collar jobs with just a high school degree. Workers seeking job skills are suddenly flooding the nation’s community colleges. In fact, students working on a two-year degree in auto repair are routinely grabbed after just one year in training. . . Templin says just look at the wait lists for their training programs, like auto collision repair, which has a months-long waiting list. The building and construction programs are full and nursing has a two-year wait. . .

LaMacchia has even started a Web site hoping to convince high school students that four years of college isn’t the only path to dignified work and financial success. The site is called Blue Collar and Proud Of It, “because not everybody is cut out to sit in a cubicle or to be on the phone.” For 50 years the “go to college” message has ruled in America. But the Earth is moving in the labor market and red-hot demand for blue collar workers is projected for the next thirty years.

I think that’s awesome. With all the news about outsourcing, factories being shut down and being moved overseas, and workers losing their jobs, it’s nice to see that “traditional” blue collar jobs are on the increase. More jobs is always a good thing, since less economic competition also usually means less hostility and competition among racial/ethnic groups for jobs. This is one instance in which a rising tide does raise all ships.