The labor force is the number of people ages 16 or older who are either working or looking for work. It does not include active-duty military personnel or the institutionalized population, such as prison inmates. Determining the size of the labor force is a way of determining how big the economy can get. The size of the labor force depends on two…

In an uncertain economy, reliable information about tomorrow's labor market can be a valuable tool in career planning. Understanding the future workforce helps an individual prepare for his/her place in it. When choosing among careers--or assisting others who are making such choices--it helps to know a few basics: the types and number of jobs…

If a person is making a decision about education, training, or a career--or if he/she is helping someone else who is making such decisions--he/she needs to know how the labor market is expected to unfold in the future. How many jobs are likely to be available in the career a person wants? How much will they pay? What kind of training will the…

Many occupations related to electric vehicles are similar to those that help to make and maintain all types of automobiles. But the industry is also adding some nontraditional jobs, and workers' skill sets must evolve to keep up. This article describes careers related to electric vehicles. The first section is about the electric vehicle industry…

The labor force is the number of people aged 16 or older who are either working or looking for work. It does not include active-duty military personnel or institutionalized people, such as prison inmates. Quantifying this total supply of labor is a way of determining how big the economy can get. Labor force participation rates vary significantly…

The economy's need for workers originates in the demand for the goods and services that they provide. So, to project employment, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) starts by projecting the gross domestic product (GDP) for 2018. GDP is the value of the final goods produced and services provided in the United States. Then, BLS estimates the…

In recent years, students, workers, and jobseekers have received mixed signals about the job market for information technology. Periods of strong job growth have been punctuated by brief periods of employment declines. Optimism about information technology (commonly referred to as IT) as a career field has been tempered by concerns about job…

From auto mechanic to HVAC technicians, many occupations require repair skills. For jobseekers with the right skills, there are many advantages to a repair career. Repair work provides millions of jobs throughout the United States. Wages are often higher than average. And in many occupations, the employment outlook is bright. Plus, most repair…

Child labor provisions of Fair Labor Standards Act affect more people than any other aspect of the law. Latest changes in the law are reported regarding: (1) farm employment, (2) nonfarm work, (3) other hazardous jobs, (4) minimum wage, (5) overtime pay, and (6) State laws. (MW)

The 1972 Manpower Report of the President examines joblessness among the nations's 16- to 19-year-olds. (Editor)

There are many uncertainties about the magnitude and nature of labor shortages. Data needed to identify and quantify shortages are not available from national statistical offices so most of what is known comes from employer reports. (JOW)

Assessments of the 1972-85 occupational outlook reveal a rather sharp slowdown in employment growth during the latter half of the period. Jobs for salesworkers, managers and administrators, and operatives will be affected most. (Author)

Job-Flo, a monthly report by the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor, includes only occupations for which high demand exists in Job Banks (1,000 or more total monthly vacancies). A listing of Job Bank districts which report on frequently listed openings is included. (EA)

A recent Bureau of Labor Statistics analysis indicates that the job market for college graduates during the 1980s is expected to be similar to the highly competitive market that characterized the 1970s, due to the supply of college graduates, the college labor market of the 1970s, and occupational demand in the 1980s. (CT)