Discusses the increasing shortage of qualified entry-level workers. Describes solutions that are being attempted by various companies, including increasing the training budget, raising wages, and providing better benefits. (CH)

Discusses the increase of women in the labor force; the role of divorce, the women's movement, and marriage at a later age; older women in the work force; economic factors; the kinds of jobs women hold and the earnings they receive; and the implications for vocational education. (CT)

The Ohio Skill Gap Initiative was conducted to determine the following: (1) what foundational skills--and skill levels--do entry-level employees need to succeed in today's workplace and (2) whether the students graduating from Ohio's public schools possess the foundational skills that will permit them to acquire the knowledge and…

Business' agenda for improving education is linked to gubernatorial goals for school reform: (1) improve preschool learning readiness; (2) increase high school graduation rates; (3) require subject matter mastery in grades 4, 8, and 12; (4) improve math and science achievement; (5) teach literacy, global awareness, and citizen responsibility; and…

Belying the stereotypes, vocational schools, with the help of business, are developing better-trained, more productive workers. Improved vocational education programs can make academics relevant, reduce the dropout rate, encourage postsecondary education, provide jobs, and retrain older workers. (SK)

The author states that competition among college graduates for jobs will decrease, although a small surplus of graduates will remain, between 1988 and 2000. Sources of job openings and sources of labor force entrants are discussed and openings and entrants are projected. (CH)

Discusses the problems of the Black underclass that is growing despite economic expansions. States that a lack of role models and a lack of incentives to get off welfare are key influences. Advocates improved services for disadvantaged children, starting before birth, as a partial solution. (CH)

Economic changes in the United States over the past decade and growing concerns about the state of education have led many people to look for successful models for workplace education. As a result, there is a new and deeper interest in apprenticeship training. The form and practice of apprenticeship has changed little over time. Today, as always,…

Recent college graduates in technical fields are faring worst in the job market, with sharp declines in job offers and some decreases in salaries, but humanities students are doing significantly better, especially in merchandising and services. Generally, 1987 starting salaries are two percent to six percent above 1986. (MSE)

Lists the expectations that employers have for entry-level workers, as well as the skills needed to be promotable in the next century. Compares employers' expectations with a profile of student skills. Gives implications for school counselors. (CH)

Principally concerned with printing, publishing, and paper and paper products, the Australian printing industry is segmented into two sectors: general production and specialist (concerned with a variety of processes and products.) Current arrangements for entry-level training in the industry generally consist of off-the-job training usually…

Case studies of 19 U.S. companies involved in welfare-to-work programs found that political and economic factors have accelerated the rate at which employers are hiring welfare recipients. Although participation in welfare-to-work programs is dominated by larger firms in a few industries (such as service and retail sectors), there is potential for…

This report describes and summarizes the discussion at a national leadership meeting conducted by the National Alliance of Business. The meeting focused on the complex and challenging economic, social, and educational issues facing today's youth. Participants included business executives, foundation presidents, mayors, state legislators, county…

There are more than 4 million small businesses across the country that provide more than half of private sector employment, generate 47 percent of the gross national product, and generate two out of every three new jobs in the United States. Because small businesses provide the majority of new workers with their first work experience, they are at…

This report is an overview of the changes occurring in society and the workplace today, with a prediction of how those changes will affect employment in the future in the United States and especially in Indiana. The report is organized in five sections. The first section summarizes the demographic, economic, and social changes that are presently…