Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths. Where is the good way? Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Many manufacturers, healthcare providers, and higher education institutions are at the crossroads. Where do you find wisdom to make the right decisions when you are at the crossroads. The "enrollment cliff" is a crossroads looming for many colleges around the United States. A decrease in birth rates stemming from the 2008 financial crisis is expected to reduce the number of first-year college students by up to 15% starting in 2025. Some colleges may go out of business. The healthcare industry's crossroads is the need for more than 165,000 nurses per year for at least the next five years. Manufacturers crossroads is the need for 2 million welders in the next 5 years and entry-level positions are still in high demand for at least the next 3-5 years. What is your crossroads? Where are you getting your advice? Are you considering looking at the ancient paths? The ancient paths are tried and true. Many despise the old paths. They may seem out of date and not cool enough to try. Yet where do you find wisdom? Life saving wisdom? All businesses have the "ancient paths" right in front of their noses but still don't see them. The 15, 20, 30, and 40 year veterans. They have the wisdom, the knowledge, and the skill to help you at the crossroads. But many feel forgotten and feel as though they are the lost path because so much energy is expended on recruiting new people for old and new positions. More than 30% of your workforce is looking to go "out to pasture" that is retire. They will be your best ancient paths to help you, if you include them, attract and retain the workforce you will need. Why? Because they are like everyone else, once they know they are cared for, revered, and needed they will rise to the challenge and pour everything they have into a vision that includes them.
So now is the time to build your workforce by looking to the "ancient paths". They will be your solid rock all else is just sinking sand.
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