Creating jobs through infrastructure is a nice thought, but are these going to be permanent jobs that will replace those lost?

There has been so much talk about how a major part of our nations' financial recovery will be achieved through the creation of millions of jobs directly related to new infrastructure and repair and update to old, but really nothing has been said about the permanence of these jobs. Political claptrap or jibber jabber is fine if that's what it takes to get one elected, delivering is another. We have lost jobs in this country over the last ten years in all sectors, by that I mean manufacturing and white collar. We have been slowly shifting towards a service economy and that means lower paying less stable jobs. Nothing has really been said as to how the government and industry are going to address this problem, burying ones head in the sand, up one's butt or remaining silent are not solutions.

I occasionally add definitions to my blog to make a point, generally for purposes of humor and sarcasm, but in this piece a short comprehensive definition will, I hope, help to clarify my ramblings. Infrastructure as defined by the American Heritage Dictionary online; The basic facilities, services, and installations needed for the functioning of a community or society, such as transportation (this includes roads and bridges) and communication systems, water and power lines, and public institutions including schools, post offices and prisons. I'm sure there are many other additions that can be included but these should get the point across.

The creation of infrastructure related jobs looks good on paper, but when will these jobs actually start? It is going to take years in most cases for the money to release for the vast majority of infrastructure projects because of the long term planning that is involved in projects of this scope. Secondly, training for these jobs takes time, years in many cases and traditionally much of that training takes place in the form of OJT (on the job training). Infrastructure is also, seasonally regulated in many parts of the country( winter, rainy season etc...). Infrastructure cannot be pushed through since a great deal of preliminary planning must be done to have a finished product that won't begin deteriorating (falling apart) before the final phases are completed.

Here's a little thought that though relevant is always left out of the silver lining speech's, not everyone is suited physically for infrastructure employment or to use the correct term, construction jobs. Construction and construction related jobs are generally very physically demanding. No doubt, infrastructure or construction jobs pay well for this reason but make no mistake about it, construction workers earn their money. One more point is that when the jobs are completed construction workers don't just step into new projects, they wait for new work to materialize which can take a long time. That is why the majority have always opted for the more stable, slightly lower paying manufacturing jobs that have been exported by the millions in the recent past at no real savings in either costs and definitely quality.

The issues associated with the creation of the millions of jobs that continues to be batted about are far more complex than the politicians let on. With all of the usual partisan political bickering already going on I guess this means that recovery could take a very, very long time to come about. Mr. Obama is barely in office a week and it looks like business as usual in Washington with all of our elected officials trying to get their 'fair' share of the money and showing no regard for their constituents, as usual.

Thanks for reading,

"When something important is going on, silence is a lie".
A.M. Rosenthal
1922 - 2006
Pulitzer Prize Winner, News Paper Editor & Columnist

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