Strong economic growth through much of the period since 2000 and demographic pressures such as workforce aging, have contributed to a robust demand for skilled tradespeople. Despite a decline following the economic recession in 2008 and 2009, new registrations in apprenticeship programs have increased nearly 200% since the 1990s. Apprenticeship…

A nationwide study of more than 1,300 full-time workers aged 40 or older was conducted to determine their characteristics, activities, and attitudes toward retirement. Most of those surveyed had spouses who also worked, and most considered their health better than average. Government at all levels was the biggest single employer of workers over…

One of a series that compiles and interprets data from a variety of sources on one particular subject of interest to life insurance executives, this report deals with women in the labor force. It can be used in the design of new products and services, to meet changing consumer needs, the selection of new markets and marketing strategies, for the…

A special report of the National Commission for Manpower Policy, this working paper analyzes the demographic trends, labor-market experience, and special problems of older workers. Its chief purpose is to bring into focus the major policy choices involved in increasing the labor-market opportunities of older persons who are able and willing to…

This monograph provides a contextual statement and an introduction to some data from a study of high school students and their employment. The small amount of interpretive comment introduces the 31 tables and calls attention to specific data of particular significance. Data (presented in percentages) come from a survey of all (2056) junior and…

Changes in the American work force include more workers, especially women; racial and ethnic composition of the work force; lengthening work lives; decline in union representation; workers' attitudes toward labor and leisure; expansion of a service economy; and projected demand for blue-collar occupations. The effect of these changes on…

This report describes a study that examined three types of change that affect career development: (1) changes in jobs and behavior that occur as people mature and age, (2) cultural changes that alter the opportunities and attitudes of people born at different times in history, and (3) changes in the environment that affect the opportunities and…

The results of a study which identified the employment aspirations and needs of Greek and Italian immigrant youth in Australia are presented in this book. There are 11 Chapters, the first three of which discuss, respectively; (1) research background and methodology; (2) the experience of Greek and Italian immigrant youth in Australia (a literature…

A special study pertaining to the career and occupational development knowledge of 17-year-olds, both in and out of school, was conducted for the Department of Labor by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. For the 49 cognitive items measured, performance percentages were up on two items, about the same as in previous assessments on 18…

Changing workplaces offer opportunities for workers and companies that are flexible and willing to learn and adapt. Some trends in the changing workplace include the following; (1) downsizing among companies is decreasing; (2) companies are creating jobs while eliminating other jobs; (3) economic factors are as likely to create jobs as eliminate…

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the median age of workers will rise from 34.8 years in 1982 to 37.3 years by 1995. In the 30 years between 1955 and 1985, the number of workers aged 45 and over has risen from 25 million to nearly 32 million. Workers over the age of 45 are established in all types of occupations. The number of men aged…

A study explored the implications of the information economy of the late 1990s for American workers, focusing on workers' experience with computers in the workplace, workers' perceptions about their future in the information economy, and the role of government in the information age. Research data were gathered through a survey of 1,005 adults…

The United States is a labor surplus society, one with a persistent shortage of jobs. This labor surplus--manifested in excessively and persistently high unemployment--will continue through the 1980s. The existence of a persistent job shortage, resulting in a labor surplus of four to six million unemployed workers without a constructive economic…

A study was conducted in Hawaii to determine the status of elderly persons in regard to employment, as well as attitudes toward employment of the elderly, defined in this study as aged 55 and over. Elderly persons aged 65 and over are the fastest growing segment of Hawaii's population, projected to increase from 73,700 in 1980 to 141,000 in 2000.…

A study examined the changing role of the secretary in today's office. More than 3,000 secretaries throughout the country and 100 executives with whom they work were surveyed concerning their attitudes toward automation, use of automated office equipment, career goals, job satisfaction and responsibilities, and involvement in selecting office…