By Lewis Loflin
Printed Kingsport Times-News May 3, 2004
The following is a response to two news articles printed in the Kingsport Times-News: "Survey: Region at Risk Due to Critical Skills Gap" (March 28, 2004) and "Businesses Want Job Candidates Already Trained and Ready for Work" (April 25, 2004).
I wish to express my concern about the report "The Skills Gap in Our Region," a copy of which I obtained from Dr. Karen Tarnoff. The sponsor of the research is Eastman Chemical and some biased government agencies protecting their jobs. Of 2,000 surveys sent out, they got only 118 responses—or a pitiful three percent. This low response rate alone raises questions about the study’s credibility, skewed heavily toward big players like Eastman.
Of the 40,795 employees mentioned, almost 20 percent are from Eastman, and well over half are concentrated in just 24 firms. Page 31 of Tarnoff’s report points out why these companies have the employee problems they whine about—yet it’s buried under their finger-pointing at workers. The March 28 article claims 63% of businesses see a skills gap in applicants, with 40% crying for better work ethic and dependability. But who’s really at fault here?
While the survey did inquire about using abusive temp agencies, it failed to factor in subcontractors—many operating as temp agencies in disguise, mixing in lower-pay, no-benefit employees off the company books. This isn’t just a footnote; it’s a systemic dodge that guts worker morale and breeds management chaos. Tarnoff’s April 25 piece admits businesses spend peanuts on training—55% have budgets under $5,000, and 27% shell out less than $100 per employee. Yet they demand pre-trained workers. That’s not a skills gap; it’s a cheapskate gap.
When asked about pay issues, they answered "going rate," which here is among the lowest in the nation—why ING Investments ranks the Tri-Cities as one of the worst places to earn a living. Tarnoff’s data backs this: employers won’t pay to train (80% want training budget hikes of 20% or less), and they refuse to raise wages to attract talent. The March 28 survey shows 60% blame families and schools for applicant flaws, but never themselves. Hypocrisy much?
The report indicates the available qualified labor pool is limited by the refusal of firms to pay better wages. They refuse to even train anyone, as the Times-News correctly pointed out on April 25—most businesses take a “passive view” to training, expecting workers to show up perfect. The result? A fabricated “skills gap” when the real issue is a severe wage gap. They want better-trained, minimum-wage workers who won’t relocate. Good luck with that.
Most skills and vocational training being taught in local colleges are a waste of time—geared to a manufacturing past, not the service economy Dr. Jon Smith noted on March 28. I commend County Commissioner Jack Sitgreaves for pointing out what happens to our college graduates: they’re stuck flipping burgers or leaving, as he hinted in his “burger” comment about white-collar job scarcity. Tarnoff’s study admits 52% of businesses see an employee skills gap, but only 32% call it urgent—because they don’t care enough to fix it.
Before we trash our workforce, let’s get the facts. It’s time to consider the abusive labor tactics and mismanagement at local businesses—low wages, temp scams, and zero training—that no amount of cheap labor or more useless education will ever fix. Dr. Jim Hite’s generational shift excuse (March 28) misses the mark; it’s not about Depression-era grit fading—it’s about employers like Eastman clinging to outdated exploitation while the region bleeds talent.
Lewis Loflin
Bristol, Va.
Update 2025: Tri-Cities wages still lag at ~$22/hour against a $30/hour national average (BLS 2024), proving the wage gap I flagged endures. Training budgets inched up to ~$1,500/employee (SHRM 2023), but businesses still balk at real investment, and the skills gap festers (U.S. Chamber 2024). Sitgreaves’ fears hold true—graduates flee or flounder amid job losses and a shrinking population (~1.8M, Census 2023). It’s still not the workers; it’s the wages.
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Thanks to Grok, an AI by xAI, for assisting in formatting this expanded article and adding the 2025 update. —Lewis Loflin
