Even before the COVID-19 crisis, the United States was overdue for a transformation of its postsecondary education and workforce development systems to meet the vast skill and employment needs of today's workers and employers. The pandemic has exponentially increased this need for change, with millions of Americans permanently out of work and in…

Unemployment rates remain high as a result of U.S. economic conditions, exacerbated by the loss of jobs to globalization and increased use of technology to produce goods and deliver services. Individuals who lose their jobs are having a much harder time finding new work than in the past, and there are many workers who are forced to work only part…

This paper was presented at the 2009 Economic and Social Outlook Conference, November 5-6 at the University of Melbourne. It takes a sceptical view of the push for "green skills", arguing that skills required in the labour market evolve relatively slowly, and that the way business operates is driven by changing costs, new technologies…

In 2007, Michigan undertook a bold mission: to retrain tens of thousands of adults to qualify for jobs in emerging and expanding sectors of the economy. The state's proposal to jobless, dislocated, and low-income residents was simple but appealing: enroll in up to two years of postsecondary education, and Michigan would cover up to $5,000 in…

Describes results of a survey of "Personnel" readers and human resource managers and/or training directors concerning the nature of training in their firms. Answers concern kinds of training, methods and tools, perceived success of training programs, retraining and special programs, and entry-level skill development. (CT)

THE YOUNG JOB HOLDER WILL NEED TO CHANGE HIS SKILLS SEVERAL TIMES DURING HIS WORKING LIFE. HE HAS LITTLE TRAINING OR RESOURCES, AND SOCIETY HAS DONE LITTLE TO HELP. THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED YOUTH IS GROWING. OUR SOCIETY IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE A PLACE WHERE ONE'S CREDENTIALS HELP HIM SUCCEED. A COLLEGE DIPLOMA IS BECOMING A PREREQUISITE TO…

The rapid technological advancement that U.S. society is experiencing has increased the likelihood that workers will have to be trained and retrained throughout their working lives to meet continually changing job requirements. This situation has challenged instructors of technical communication who are faced with the overlap of traditional…

Until the United States adopts an investment approach to its labor force and provides adequate funds for continuous upgrading of human resources, the unemployment rate will remain above acceptable levels. (SK)

Most recent research on the impact of the new computer technology on skills has been focused on developing arguments that either support or contradict the "deskilling" thesis put forth by some economists and sociologists in the mid- and late 1970s. Although this research remains inconclusive, some generalizations can be suggested. The research…

This report on the textile industry focuses on the training and education of production-level textile workers--from unskilled factory hands to first-level supervisors. It is part of a larger study of the educational implications of broad economic changes, particularly the spread of microelectronic technologies, growing national and international…

The most striking general features of the Danish education system are these: a high degree of centralization, learner-centeredness, open access, precisely defined conditions of service for teachers, and virtually non-existent training for educational managers. Education is compulsory for children between the ages of 7 and 16 years. Optional…

Redesigning jobs can be cost-effective as well as personnel-effective as organizations change to meet society's changes. The process of redesigning jobs, which allows an organization to use existing personnel and avoid the high cost of recruitment, hiring, and duplicative training, consists of asking the right questions and finding the answers to…

A study was undertaken to describe how changes in the network of transactions that occur between manufacturers and suppliers have affected the scope and nature of training and related human resource practices within supplier firms. Data came from the published literature, expert opinion, and a phone survey of 15 individuals ranging from…

This collection of 16 case studies is intended to illustrate how the public and private sectors have managed to collaborate in helping workers adapt to changing employment circumstances. The case studies are grouped into three categories. The first six case studies are examples of programs that have been developed to assist in training for new…

State skills corporations are public/private ventures designed to increase the supply of skilled workers in a state. Using public funds matched by private dollars, the corporations bring business and educational institutions together to train workers for skilled occupations. One of the principal goals of the corporations is to establish an…