Estimates are made of absolute poverty and employment under the hypothesis that existing trends continue. Concludes that while the number of people in absolute poverty is not likely to decline by 2000, the proportion will fall. Jobs will have to grow 3.9% per year in developing countries to achieve full employment. (JOW)

During structural adjustment, training/retraining for unemployed persons is often poorly conceived. One reason is the lack of reliable ways to predict future skill requirements. Retraining should be kept fairly general to enable a wide range of potential jobs. (SK)

Labor market planning techniques must take into account the dynamic nature of economies. A better approach than labor needs forecasting is use of labor market signals developed by monitoring wage and employment changes and evaluating training programs. (SK)

The authors believe that one should beware of adopting too general an approach to Third World training which fails to take account of different types of education and training. At the same time, they view the economy as a whole, including the rural sector and informal activities. (Author/CT)

Focusing on the changing relationship between training and employment, this article discusses (1) limitations of traditional vocational training policies, (2) the relationship between training and employment today, (3) changes in skills and the effects of structural factors on the employment situation, and (4) a modern vocational training policy.…

This special theme issue includes: "Perspectives on Work" (Supiot); "Work and Usefulness to the World" (Castel); "Work and Identity in India" (Heuze-Brigant); "New Perspectives on Work as Value" (Meda); "Decline and Resurgence of Unremunerated Work" (Le Guidec); "Work and Public/Private…

Analyzes labor market effects of the aging population, examines projected population and employment trends in Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries; effects on savings and productivity; and projections for 2000-2050 in six countries. Discuses national and international policies to increase employment of older adults and…

This essay deals with a series of methodological issues involved in assessing training priorities in developing countries. It is argued that the present methods of arriving at these priorities leave much to be desired, and a number of suggestions are made that might lead to more informed policy decisions on education and training. (CT)