There is an article ( http://www.cbc.ca/cp/business/050630/b0630102.html [1] ) from the CBC ( http://www.cbc.ca [2] ) that talks about a new Toyota plant opening in Ontario. The combination of a well-trained and educated workforce, a comprehensive national healtcare plan (which saves employers money) and proximity to other employees led to choosing the Canadian facility over possible American options
One of the most telling statements is this one, made by Gerry Fedchun, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association:
"The level of the workforce in general is so high that the training program you need for people, even for people who have not worked in a Toyota plant before, is minimal compared to what you have to go through in the southeastern United States,"
He went on to say that "The educational level and the skill level of the people down there is so much lower than it is in Ontario."
The lack of education doesn't just cost a city, region or country white-collar jobs, it deprives its' citizens to do a growing number of well-paying blue-collar jobs. For a region whose prosperity has been linked to blue collar employment for a long time, this is a considerable wake up call.
Links:
[1] http://www.cbc.ca/cp/business/050630/b0630102.html
[2] http://www.cbc.ca