(2004-02-25) Postrel Job Creation

Virginia Postrel says that Job Creation is being undercounted because it's more Free Agent- than BigCo-driven, so maybe it's not such a Jobless Recovery.

John Robb questions the pay levels and benefits availability for these people.

This reminds me of the Richard Florida story: This point is brought home by the story of a labor-related meeting in Harrisburg where Pennsylvania state officials lamented that the state was producing more hairdressers than mechanics and factory workers. These jobs go unfilled for lack of qualified workers despite the promise of high pay and a stable job. Florida put the question to audiences across the country. Time and again, more people said they would chose to be a hairdresser than a factory worker. The pay isn't good, but the environment is more stimulating, the satisfaction more immediate, you meet a variety of people, you can work flexible hours, and there is ample opportunity to be creative.