Mill of the Future: The Human Resource Challenge, 1994 Papermakers Conference Proceedings

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Every week, it seems another article appears in the business press, in news magazines, in our own pulp and paper industry publications, in your local newspaper, bemoaning the low skill levels of American workers in our manufacturing facilities. Typical is the March 22, 1993, Fortune magazine article which laments “Nearly four in ten members of the National Association of Manufacturers say that deficiencies in math, reading, technical (and critical thinking) skills are causing ‘serious problems’ in upgrading factories and increasing productivity. Companies cannot wait for the schools to solve the educational crisis.” That same Fortune article goes on to say that “American companies have got to be urged to treat workers as assets to be developed rather than costs to be cut.” We all believe this. We all know it. Our annual reports, our mission statements, our documents of purpose all state it. “People are our most important product.” John Akers, former chairman of IBM states, “Education isn’t just a social concern, it’s a major economic issue. If our students can’t complete today, how will our companies compete tomorrow?” Yet this very valuable asset continues to be undercapitalized.