This paper was presented to a meeting of the Wellington Exchange, an international group of higher education officials, in December 2008. One of the topics of the meeting was around the issue of possible skills shortages emerging as a result of demographic trends, with the ageing of the population of developed countries. The paper argues that this…

The traditional teaching career is collapsing at both ends. Beginners are being driven away by antiquated preparation practices, outdated school staffing policies, and inadequate career rewards. At the end of their careers, accomplished veterans who still have much to contribute are being separated from their schools by obsolete retirement…

Using data on the growth of information related businesses in Texas in the period from 1971 to 1981, this paper analyzes and interprets the results in the context of demographic changes and educational policy in Texas. To track the number of businesses that fall into the information sector, and to reveal trends in growth and in industry…

Despite wide publicity and common usage, the concept of skills shortage has different meaning to different people depending on their perspective. Understanding the different concepts of skills shortages, their measurement and the causes of skill shortages is important if sound policies are to be developed in the areas of employment, education,…

To analyze the directions of change in health-related employment in Ohio over the next decade in order to provide limited guidelines for the development of education and training programs in the allied health field, an examination was made of health manpower data derived from the 1950-1970 U.S. Censuses. The examination revealed that the health…

Statistics on both the production of astronomers and the employment opportunities now available and reasonably expected for the near future are examined. Barring the sudden and unexpected restoration of basic science to public favor, there seems to be no way of restoring equilibrium between the demand and the supply in astronomical employment…

Migration patterns to and from Australia are becoming complex with migration programmes increasingly targeted towards meeting the needs of the labour market and regional development. This paper provides an analysis of the permanent and temporary movements of people to and from Australia in the last three years and their impact on the skilled…

A study examined the extent to which employers in the United Kingdom (UK) are involved in the youth labor market and in the UK's Training Credits model within the South London Training and Enterprise Council (SOLOTEC) area. Data were collected from the following sources: review of labor market trends; qualitative interviews with 36 employers…

The current pressure to look seriously at the connection between the economy and the educational and occupational skills of adults is being driven by changes in both economic conditions and the makeup of the U.S. labor force. Manufacturing has declined, taking with it low-skill, high-wage jobs, and the work force has more immigrants, women, and…

The value of linking manpower analyses and educational policy formation is illustrated by the experience of the New Jersey Department of Higher Education in planning programs for professional nurses. After reviewing the history of manpower planning for nurses in New Jersey, the results of a 1980 nursing study and projections of the future need for…

Key issues pertinent to federal support of nursing education and training are considered. Policy options for nurse training include: support for programs to increase aggregate supply, support for programs to improve geographic distribution of nurses, support for programs to increase the availability of nurses with advanced training, and support…

Work and adjustment to work are vital components of a smoothly functioning society. Currently, a growing imbalance between the collective level of educational attainment of American workers and the skill/knowledge requirements of existing jobs has created the potential for widespread social and economic problems in this country. Overeducation…

A study examined the views of leading Northwest business executives concerning the implications of and need for technological literacy in the 1990s and beyond. The executives made it clear that the United States is moving toward a future in which high-technology industries will alter work functions dramatically. Providing students with a basic…

In the United States and Canada alike, expressions of concern over the fact that the demand for skilled workers far exceeds the current supply have been heard repeatedly. However, several studies would seem to indicate that, as familiar as these claims about the supply and demand for skilled workers may be, they are very contentious. If a Hudson…

As part of a multiphased study of trends and priorities in vocational education in Missouri, four project consultants were hired to write reports on labor market needs in Missouri, vocational education delivery systems in the state, and fiscal resources available for Missouri vocational education programs. These individual reports were synthesized…