EDITORIAL: Putting time and effort into an investment that always pays off

While many people are still down in the doldrums following the Great Recession, the evidence is unmistakable that the economy is recovering. Unemployment in Georgia is 5.8 percent and for Bibb and Houston counties it's 6.3 percent and 6.1 percent respectively. Companies are having job fairs as they look for qualified workers such as the one that was held by the Middle Georgia Kroger stores Saturday. The Georgia Department of Labor's website has long lists of open jobs in the Middle Georgia area and many of the state's largest employers use the Department of Labor to screen applicants. For example, Kumho Tire's new plant is looking for employees but all applicants have to go through the DOL.

However, it's apparent that while jobs are available, the more training and certification a job hunter has, the more successful he or she will be. And that's what's different about this economic recovery. Too few people have put themselves in the position to be qualified for work, particularly the work of the 21st century.

Gone are the days when employers were just looking for a strong back and an ability to follow directions. As technology continues to invade every corner of our lives, there is also not a phase of business where technology hasn't left its mark. Wherever we turn, there are new advances that didn't exist just a short time ago. Business processes are becoming more streamlined and efficient with each passing day and fortunately, Georgia is well situated with its network of technical schools to take advantage of the pace of change. New workers can be trained quickly and older, more experienced employees, can be retrained on new processes.

And there is something else potential employees need to be aware of. Most, if not all, employers conduct background checks and drug screens. Sketchy histories or signs of drug use will disqualify applicants. One recruiter recently said that he received 80 applications for a job, but most of the applications were incomplete. He interviewed 10, but only one was hired because the others, for one reason or the other, washed out.

Yes, jobs are out there. On Thursday, Brig. Gen. Walt Lindsley, commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, said he plans to fill about 200 new aircraft mechanic positions at the base and another 84 existing positions currently vacant in software maintenance.

All this should point to reasons students should stay in school. The statistics are startling but worth repeating: For every $1 a college graduate earns, a high school grad only makes 49 cents, and a dropout, 30 cents. School is not a waste of time. It's an investment that always pays off.

This story was originally published October 24, 2015 at 9:01 PM with the headline "EDITORIAL: Putting time and effort into an investment that always pays off ."