Tip for high school grads: skills are in short supply

A spokesman for the nation's business community has a career tip for this year's high school graduates: Learn a skill. "There is a shortage of skilled workers," said James Campbell, chairman of education and training for the US Chamber of Commerce, in an appearance before the Senate Labor Committee's Employment and Productivity subcommittee. "It is now harder to replace a good secretary than a good executive."

Mr. Campbell said that the United States may have only 20,700 new journeyman machinists and machine operators by 1990 -- 5 percent of what is needed. He said 10,400 tool and die makers, 58,000 machine repair people, 11,000 drafters, and 23,000 engineering technicians will be needed -- and that too few people are going into these fields.