Modest Proposal : Use Computer Technology to Link Needs of Employer, Unemployed
There is a tremendous jobless situation in this country, especially in California and particularly in Los Angeles. It is very difficult for an unemployed engineer to find a job today. If he looks in the newspaper, there are very few advertisements for engineers. I suggest that a “data bank” be established to link employers who want to hire people with particular skills to jobless people with those skills.
With the data bank concept, an individual would have his experience, education and what he is good at--such as aerodynamics, mathematics, physics, chemistry, accounting, law, acting, typing, managerial, computer proficiency, etc.-- entered into a computer. The jobless person would list companies he has worked for in the past five, 10, 20 or 30 years as the case may be.
The data bank concept would marry the employer’s needs to the jobless person’s skills. For example, an employer needs an engineer with capability in aerodynamics, structures and computers, as well as a broad background in physics. He calls the data bank and gets a list individuals who satisfy his requirements along with their telephone numbers and addresses.
This is an idea whose time has come, namely, the marriage of computer technology to the employer’s needs for particular personnel and the unemployed person’s need for a job. This would also enable the federal, state or local government to determine where there are significant employer requirements that cannot be satisfied locally and could assist in pointing unemployed people to states where jobs are available and help people relocate.
Jobless individuals could apply for inclusion in the data bank in person at an office near their homes. The interviewer would ask questions and enter the information directly into the computer, eliminating the need for a lot of paperwork. An employer seeking a person with a particular capability would call in and give his requirements.
This plan would apply to people in all economic strata. It would also enable retired people or those with low incomes to get temporary or part-time employment. The data bank could be set up in a few months. It should be implemented as soon as possible on a city, state and national level, wherever there is a need.
