According to Indeed.com, as of today, there are 133 jobs available for every 1,000 people in Washington, DC. That is 13.3%.
And, per WTOP.com, as posted June 20, 2009, the unemployment rate in our nation’s capital jumped to 10.7% in May.
That means there are more jobs available than people out of work.
Indeed.com does not define if the 1,000-people number is for those over age 16, which is how unemployment is calculated, or per capita. If not, then that means that for those over 16, the percentage would be higher than 13.3%, as the US Census Bureau states that 19.3% of the DC population is under 18. Perhaps that would mean that 16% to 17% are under 16, bringing the jobs available percentage to about 16% for people over 16.
One point that WTOP.com does bring up in their article is that many of the jobs that are available in DC require more than a high school diploma and that many of the people living directly in DC (not in nearly Maryland or Virginia) that may be unemployed generally do not possess a college degree and have typically been working in the harder hit areas of the job market, construction and retail.
That said, I would hope that employers in DC might re-think whether or not a college degree is absolutely necessary for some of the positions that they are offering. There are some incredibly talented (and intelligent) people who do not possess such paper. We’ve all heard about the really big ones: Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Michael Dell, Stephen Spielberg. And there are many, many more.
This is not a blog promoting that people should not attain a degree. It is simply pointing out that it does not make much sense to have 10.7% unemployment in Washington DC with, what appears to be, more than ample employment opportunities available.
John Lennon said, “Give Peace A Chance.”
I am saying, “Give People A Chance.”
You may be very surprised.
Over For Now,
Main Street One
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