Skilled labor
Economists have consistently been critical of the state education system for failing to produce enough skilled employees to not only fill jobs in Rhode Island, but also to be able to attract new businesses, particularly high technology, to our state. The lack of skilled labor is not only a Rhode Island problem, but one that is national and has sparked consideration of legislation that would relax immigration laws to allow for more foreign skilled labor to be imported.
Still, the economists insist it is worse in Rhode Island. But now DefendNet Solutions, an Internet security firm, says it’s just not so. And so does tradesafe.com, another high technology company that decided to test the Boston market to see if an address there would attract more qualified candidates. Rather than theories, this is an in-the-trenches assessment of our ability to compete for skilled labor with the Massachusetts market.
In both cases, the companies say Rhode Island is competitive, and, in some instances, perhaps, even more attractive.
Vincent Giordano, DefendNet president, says he’s recruiting in Rhode Island and in the Massachusetts market. He says that while the labor pool may be larger in Massachusetts, there are many more high-tech employers to compete against, leaving fewer available quality employees.
“It’s a tougher job market for employers in Massachusetts,” Giordano says.
He says that in Rhode Island the quality of life is attractive, it provides “less hassle,” and with an $8 million infusion from a venture capital firm, he’s paying salary and benefits that compete with the Boston market.
At tradesafe.com, another high-tech company that recently received a venture capital infusion, Glen Ilacqua, marketing communications manager says the company placed classified advertisements noting both Providence and Boston as locations for the company, with no appreciable difference in results. The company, rumored to be moving a large segment of its workforce to Massachusetts, is now looking for expanded offices in Providence.
While there is no dispute about whether our educational system needs attention, or that it is our number one economic development issue, we also can’t ignore the possibility that we might be off base when we say we are unable to either produce or attract skilled labor. And perhaps we are misinformed if we conclude that the availability of skilled labor is keeping companies out of Rhode Island, and forcing some that are here to either leave or seek to expand elsewhere.
At least in these two instances – DefendNet and tradesafe.com – we see examples demonstrating that, in fact, Rhode Island can compete for the best talent and can keep two promising and growing companies in our state. That’s an encouraging message.
Tobacco funds
Lt. Gov. Charles J. Fogarty is fighting an uphill battle to dedicate a good portion of the tobacco settlement money for smoking cessation programs, and health care programs designed to deal with smoking related ailments, and other unmet health care needs. He would create a State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP).
The rest of the state government seems more inclined to use the money – over its 25 year life – to mainly fund general fund programs, without any foresight into the day when the tobacco money is no longer there.
We think it is folly to continue to view the tobacco money as a general fund windfall, with only a token amount dedicated to health care programs.
We fully support Lt. Governor Fogarty’s efforts. We have learned all too well what a devastating impact smoking – and secondary smoke – can have on health. It makes absolute sense that this money be allocated first for programs that are aimed at helping people to stop smoking -or not start in the first place – and for programs that deal with health care issues that are the direct result of smoking.
We hope the legislature and the governor, in its wisdom, considers seriously the Fogarty proposals. If approved they will have a far more positive impact on Rhode Islanders than funneling the money into that deep dark hole we call the General Fund.
