Technology changes that were brought on during WWII greatly changed the requirements faced by job-seekers during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Technical skills sought by management in firms dealing in telecommunications, advanced machining, etc. often surpassed the available skill set within the city.
Retraining was clearly needed, but who was going to pay for such training? Of course, former military personnel then living within or near Lowell had a big advantage in this new world of gainful employment.
The Lowell Sun excerpts listed below will give the reader some idea regarding the growing pains felt by those involved.
Specific articles of interest follow:
These technical areas were of no immediate interest to a jobseeker that needed work immediately. The future did not seem bright for those only having skills of yesteryear.