Quality Control

For years, we've been hearing that green technology is the next "big thing," but will this new economic phenomenon generate a flood of new jobs? In the U.S., a number of state reports indicate that green jobs are on the rise, though they likely total less than 1% of overall jobs. Meanwhile, the Labor Department is offering $500 million in Recovery Act funding for green-job training to help workers enter the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries. What's the potential for green occupations at your company?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Quality Control, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Quality Control today.

A year after the near-collapse of global financial markets, participants in the G-20 meetings in Pittsburgh were still grasping for effective ways to prevent future economic meltdowns. President Obama is pushing for a Consumer Financial Protection Agency that would review proposed financial instruments to prevent abuses, an idea opposed by bankers. Others want to impose higher capital requirements on financial institutions to guard against overlending, as well as give governments more power to break up ailing global giants like AIG. What's your view?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Quality Control, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Quality Control today.

More U.S. manufacturers are now turned away from off-shoring and moving operations back home, notes American Machinist. The magazine cites a new AMR Research study showing that the risk of sourcing and manufacturing in China is increasing as a result of intellectual property infringement, quality failures, and regulatory compliance issues. The value of the dollar also has dropped more than 30% vs major world currencies since 2002, making American exports cheaper, while transportation costs and foreign wages have climbed significantly. What's happening at your firm? Are quality concerns — and other factors — making foreign operations less appealing?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Quality Control, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Quality Control today.

With unemployment rates at double-digit levels, a new study shows a rapid rise in the percentage of Americans willing to relocate for work. A recent survey shows 18.2 % of job seekers who found employment in the second quarter of 2009 moved to another city — up from just 11.4 % a year earlier. An increasing number use the Web to search nationwide for positions in areas that have not been as hard hit by recession. What if you needed to find a new job? Are there good opportunities in your field nearby — or would you be forced to move?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Quality Control, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Quality Control today.

At the urging of the White House, both houses of Congress are trying to push through health reform in the coming weeks. House legislation would establish a health care exchange where consumers can select from a menu of more affordable health care options, including a new public health insurance plan or a plan offered by private insurers. Proponents say this new system will reduce costs, create competition that leads to better care, and keep private insurers honest. But will the reforms being proposed result in higher quality health care?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Quality Control, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Quality Control today.