Operator Performance
Hello Deas Plant,
Well I certainly agree with all you have said. But I have to cast another line of thought in here.
The construction world can't wait for the Operators to hone their skills over 30 years or so,or churn over the labor force, just to get a few good ones. The old guys are retiring faster than the replacing generation, leaving an industry shortage. Every company wants highly skilled operators.
Some Operators get there by OJT (On the Job Training), some just plug along , content to be just semiskilled. MSHA is pushing the Training aspect because of Safety. Reducing the Fatalities and accidents.
Then there are the Apprenticeship Programs and Journeyman Upgrade Training programs put on by the Unions. Introductory and advanced.
There are also some private schools and colleges that offer construction courses.
Then there is the GPS,Laser, and all other computer controlled grade tools,designed to increase productivity.
All these are designed to produce a skilled,competent, operator , quicker , than by the old traditional methods. Increasing the population of skilled , competent operators.
As for computers taking the skilled operators work away, I say, due to the increased cost of equipment,fuel,compliance with all the new environmental laws,etc. productivity has to be increased, to maintain an industry. New skills in the use of the computer equipment have to be learned.
Manpower will still be present,
just a different breed of operators skilled in reading,listening,interacting to a computer monitor, versus our old ways of doing things.
Anyway , just some thoughts for the readers.