Workforce Myths and Realities

Myths & Realities of Work in Oregon

	June 1997
	Joseph Cortright, Impresa
	For the Governor's Office on Education and Workforce Policy

Oregon’s economy and the nature of work have changed dramatically, and continue to change in ways that fundamentally alter the choices that we as Oregonians have to make about our lives and our children’s lives. The understandings that we formed about the way the world used to work are in many cases a hindrance to making sound decisions about what to do now. While we see important fragments of this change in our daily lives, it is often difficult to assemble daily observations into a coherent picture of the essential elements of the new economy. The objective of this report is to take a first step toward describing the most important aspects of these changes.

Myths about Jobs & Work

There are many concerns about the changing nature of work, the disappearance of good jobs, the growth of the service economy, and major shifts in the jobs we do. There will continue to be good jobs in the future, but whether one gets and keeps a good job will depend on his or her skills rather than the size or past stability of the employer. There are many good jobs in high tech and manufacturing, despite myths to the contrary. And while temporary employment has grown rapidly, relatively few of us are involuntarily temporary workers for very long. A good work ethic and the willingness and ability to participate in workplace decision-making will be keys to success on the job.

ECONOMIC SECURITY	MYTH	Jobs with large, stable employers give job security.
	REALITY	Job security comes from worker skills.
GOOD JOBS / LOW PAID JOBS	MYTH	High skill, well-paid jobs are available only in a few professions.
	REALITY	High skill, well-paid jobs are available in a wide range of industries and occupations throughout the economy.
	MYTH	The Oregon economy is creating only low paid jobs.
	REALITY	The Oregon economy is creating both high-paid and low-paid jobs. For those who are prepared, there are high wage jobs.
HIGH TECH PAY	MYTH	High tech jobs are low paid.
	REALITY	Most high tech jobs are highly paid and even lower paid jobs average $25,000 annually.
TEMPORARY JOBS	MYTH	A large number of people are part-time and temporary workers.
	REALITY	Fewer than one in twenty workers is a temporary or leased employee.
	MYTH	Temporary jobs are a dead end.
	REALITY	In an increasing number of instances, temporary jobs are a way into long-term employment.
MANUFACTURING IS DYING	MYTH		Manufacturing is a dying sector of the economy.
	REALITY		Manufacturing continues to be a growing sector of the economy, and in Oregon is producing thousands of new jobs each year.

WORK ETHIC	MYTH	Skills are important, attitude isn’t
WORK ETHIC	REALITY	The best jobs go to those who are active and engaged in their jobs
PARTICIPATION IN DECISION-MAKING	MYTH	Only managers and supervisors are responsible for ideas and decisions that affect a company or organization.
PARTICIPATION IN DECISION-MAKING	REALITY	All workers have to be entrepreneurial and take an interest in the success of the organization they work for.

Myths about Skills and Learning

Just as the world of work is changing, so are the kinds of skills worker will need and the means that it will take to prepare. In the future, we will function in a more diverse economy, we will need skills beyond basic reading, writing and arithmetic, and we’ll have to be lifelong learners who acquire new skills both in school and on the job. While a college education is a statistical advantage, many good jobs don’t require a college degree.

DIVERSITY	MYTH	Diversity is unrelated to productivity and learning.
DIVERSITY	REALITY	In many cases, diversity is a useful tool for achieving economic success, and some feel it is essential to success in national and international competition.
NEW BASIC SKILLS	MYTH	Reading, writing and arithmetic are all we need.
NEW BASIC SKILLS	REALITY	We need a solid basis in these skills, plus critical thinking, communication, teamwork and computer skills.
LIFELONG LEARNING	MYTH	Once I leave school, I can stop learning.
LIFELONG LEARNING	REALITY	Economic success requires lifelong learning.
LEARNING BY DOING/HANDS ON LEARNING	MYTH	Learning happens just inside the classroom.
LEARNING BY DOING/HANDS ON LEARNING	REALITY	We need to blend practical experience and learning; most skills are learned by doing them on the job.
COLLEGE AS THE TICKET TO SUCCESS	MYTH	Going to college is a sure ticket to economic success.
COLLEGE AS THE TICKET TO SUCCESS	REALITY	Just going to college won’t assure economic success.
RESPONSIBILITY	MYTH	Educational institutions and employers will take responsibility for worker preparation.
RESPONSIBILITY	REALITY	Students and workers will need to take more responsibility for their own skills.

About this Report

This report was commissioned by state government and private businesses interested in workforce, education and economic issues. Research for and writing of the report was provided by Joseph Cortright, an economist with the Portland-based firm Impresa. The myths and realities presented here were reviewed and approved by an independent panel of business and education experts. The report will be made available to interested Oregonians and may serve as the basis for further communication efforts to assist Oregonians to cope with the challenges of economic change in their daily lives.