Given changes in the 21st century workplace and expectations of employers, the notion that a bachelor's degree is the sole pathway to sustainable employment and a middle-class life in the United States has become obsolete. Many (e.g., Fleming, 2016) have argued that employers are now seeking employees with technical skills, digital literacy, and…

One in every six adults in the United States is an immigrant. These immigrant adults contribute to the vitality of local communities and economies across the country, but many also face barriers to integration and economic mobility, including limited English proficiency, varied levels of formal education, and persistent employment in low-wage…

Social workers encounter trauma in a majority of the populations they serve. It is therefore essential to train social work students to understand the impact of trauma, to assess trauma history and symptoms, and to effectively intervene with children and families. This article presents 3 qualitative research narratives that provide an in-depth…

By 2020, 65 percent of all jobs in the economy will require postsecondary education and training beyond high school. That's a pretty strong statement in defense of the value of higher education in this country. But it will mean little unless the nation's colleges and universities--and, specifically, community colleges--can produce more workers…

In a competitive workforce it is not just having the right qualification or technical skills that will land an individual a job; it could very well be their interpersonal skills. How someone communicates is often the first impression an employer has of a possible worker. Yet, it is precisely communication skills that employers feel applicants are…

Issues arising from an ageing society, a low fertility rate and growing need for a skilled work force have seen increased government commitment to improving the participation rate of mature-aged workers. Education and training are seen as a principal strategy to increase the employability of these workers, yet participation in training is low and…

Argues that technological advancement has dramatically changed the nature of work and the skills necessary to adapt to the new work place. Reviews required competencies of "techno-professionals," or the new knowledge workers concerned with technological research and application. Highlights the role of two-year colleges in imparting these…

With three of four graduates entering the work force directly and six of ten carrying substantial student debt on graduation, Yale University (Connecticut) has developed a career counseling service with databases of internships and fellowships and an on-campus recruitment and interview service. Peer advisors help students navigate the large…

A number of studies consistently identify the importance of communication skills, both oral and written, as vital to employability. Speech communication departments, however, have been slow either in responding to industry's needs or in informing students of the high correlation between communication skills and employability. Some of the possible…

Although most people agree that not enough entry workers possess the skills required for success in the workplace, few individuals are able to articulate clearly why and where the skills gap occurs. Despite the popularity of blaming schools and curricula, little hard evidence exists to support the claim that U.S. secondary school performance is…

In December 1980, a study was conducted by William Rainey Harper College (WRHC) to determine the feasibility of establishing a pharmacy technology program. Professional Life Science and Human Services staff members telephoned 13 hospital pharmacies and four retail pharmacies in WRHC's service area. It was felt that if the 15 responding pharmacies…

A digital divide, a chasm between those with access to technology and training, particularly workplace information technology (IT) skills and those without, threatens the economic prosperity of American workers and America's competitiveness. The most effective way to reduce digital disparities is to improve the education and training of the…

Examines reasons for high demand for higher education in Cyprus. Research confirms conventional assumptions about forces affecting demand, but includes students' motivations as a significant factor. Suggestions for matching higher education policy with market demands include better labor market information for secondary school students; promotion…

The need for higher education to plan curricula based upon generalizable human, analytical, and technical skills is discussed in view of historical and economic changes, productivity questions, demographic projections, and employment forecasts. Questions are posed regarding the form of undergraduate education that will best prepare the college…

This document records the oral and written testimony of several small business owners and a Nevada Department of Education official at a Congressional hearing about education and today's work force. The business owners' testimony indicated the difficulty they have finding workers who can read, write, and think, and who are willing to be trained.…