:: rawblogXport ::

:: Tuesday, October 28, 2003 ::

Robotic harvesting of citrus may solve labor shortage By GLENN C. WRIGHT, FARM VOICE
The fruiting branches are easily shaken by the 4- to 5-foot-long nylon or tubular steel spikes that form the shaking drum. At a travel speed of 1.2 mph, this system can harvest at least 500 trees per hour and 1,200 field boxes per hour, and 12 highway trucks of fruit in an eight-hour workday.

Worker productivity can increase by over 15 times and harvesting cost may decrease by 75 percent.

Taking a back seat By Khalil Abdullah
Auto shop enrollment dwindles as mechanic demand rises

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a shortage of 60,000 mechanics nationwide has led to the demand for technicians and boosted salaries.

Boomer retirement may spawn glut of jobs By Meg Richards AP
Experts say that in the not-so-distant future, America will have more jobs than it can fill. The baby boom generation, born between 1946 and 1965, reshaped the U.S. economy with a seemingly inexhaustible supply of highly educated workers. But their children are not numerous enough to replace them and researchers say a serious labor shortage lies ahead.

Fewer pick career path for dealing with death BY SARA OLKON
The funeral industry is bracing for a shortage of qualified funeral directors. That's not surprising, since the job has long hours and mediocre pay and can turn off potential dates.

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