• peopleproblems@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    8
    arrow-down
    5
    ·
    1 year ago

    That’s not skilled labor though, that’s white-collar office worker stuff.

    A better example would be a lathe operator.

    • LemmyIsFantastic@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      10
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      1 year ago

      White collar has nothing to do with skilled or not. It’s a calculation on time and cost to replace.

      I don’t know anything about lathe operators but it’s very clear that it’s harder to replace engineers vs cooking fast food.

      • KevonLooney@lemm.ee
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        6
        arrow-down
        4
        ·
        1 year ago

        You’re comparing the bottom person at a restaurant with a mid level engineer. You should be comparing an engineering intern with a dishwasher or something. Both are somewhat replaceable (but try running anything without them).

        Compare an actual engineer with a restaurant manager or head chef. Both of those require experience and education.

        • LemmyIsFantastic@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          7
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          1 year ago

          An entry level engineer is going to have 2 years of additional math, or coding, or whatever after highschool. I was cooking burgers and running a register at 14. It’s easy to learn. Most people can cook a burger as a part of their existence, no training but the specific way they want. Far far more easy to replace and train.

      • jaybone@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        1 year ago

        I don’t think the issue is with the term skilled, I think it’s with labor.

        Unskilled labor is McDonald’s.

        Skilled labor would be like a machinist or a plumber.

        It takes a lot of training, maybe an apprenticeship, etc. maybe even vocational school.