Sex Differences and Skills Shortages in the Workplace

This short article discusses the well known phenomenon of the shortage of skilled workers in the engineering, technology, and construction industries. Traditionally, the skilled workers in these industries have been male, but with the displacement of males from higher education by female students, the reservoir of potential workers is being populated more by females. So, what is the problem?

Females make distinctly different career choices than males. In spite of an amazing array of promotions and inducements to get women to choose more technical occupations and professions, and despite the fairly good pay prospects in many technical sectors, few females are choosing to train in these fields.

Women play a vital part in today's workplace. Psychology graduates are now mostly women, and the top professions are heavily dependent on their female graduates.

These skill shortages are not for the elite upper echelon mathematics and physics jobs for which few women are neurologically suited, according to the best scientific research. These are jobs that most women would have no difficulty performing, if they were so inclined. They are typically not so inclined.

If women are displacing men from higher education, but women are not training for many of the skilled jobs that are available, what options are left? More vigorous promotion efforts to induce women into these fields, certainly. More alternative training programs for men, to bring the displaced into the process, yes. And more immigrant workers will be required. Unfortunately, in the end, more offshoring of jobs will inevitably result.