Retraining

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Retraining is the process of learning a new skill or trade, often in response to a change in the economic environment. Generally it reflects changes in profession choice rather than an "upward" movement in the same field.

There is some controversy surrounding the use of retraining to offset economic changes caused by free trade and automation. For example, most studies show that displaced factory workers in the United States on the average have lower wages after retraining to other positions when a factory is closed due to offshoring. A similar issue surrounds movement from technical jobs to liaison jobs due to offshore outsourcing. In this view, some changes target entire personality types and not just specific job titles. In an extreme view, it can be viewed as a "personality economic fight" where different personalities battle over privileges. In this case it would be "social people" versus "techies".

[edit] See also

• Labor shortage