Examines the view that European unemployment is due to the inability to manage shifts in demand for low-skilled labor because of wage rigidities and social benefits. Suggests that without economic growth and better employment opportunities, it is difficult to advance European labor market reform. (JOW)

Focuses on three assumptions: employment is central to social integration; the demand for goods and labor is becoming more individualized; and the state continues to play a major role on work and employment. Outlines frameworks for the future of labor and work in France. (JOW)

Examines a survey of vocational guidance services in 10 Latin-American countries and concludes that insufficient importance is attached to the world in which the individual is to work. Official services do not have enough information about the labor situation or human resource needs. (JOW)

Discusses an International Labour Organization program based on scenario-building, regular reporting on labor markets, indicators of imbalances in labor supply and demand, and extension of manpower assessment and planning to the informal sector. Looks at progress, areas calling for action, and outstanding tasks. (JOW)

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)

Reviews theoretical explanations for gender segregation in occupations: neoclassical, human capital, institutional and labor market segmentation, and gender discrimination. Determines that gender discrimination theories are most compelling, given the enormous overlap in abilities and preferences of individual men and women. (SK)

Discusses some of the issues involved in professionalizing human resources planning and implementation at the national level. Issues include (1) incorporating human resources into national development, (2) demand considerations, (3) using the skill supply system, (4) obstacles to effectiveness, and (5) enhancing roles of social partners. (CH)

This article presents a brief account of some of the new directions that manpower planning has taken in recent years viewed primarily in the light of activities undertaken by the International Labour Office technical cooperation program in this field. (Author/CT)

Deficiencies in labor market information in most developing countries seriously hamper manpower planning and employment services. As conventional massive statistical surveys are not feasible, the author suggests a system of collecting information through "key informants." (MF)

The authors contend that problems associated with rapid population growth in developing countries must be tackled through comprehensive planning. They discuss impacts of demography on labor supply and demand and migration. Then they propose a practical framework for population and human resource development planning and policy formation. (SK)

Vocational training often fails to provide what employers need and students want. To correct supply/demand mismatches requires improving feedback from employers, increasing the flow of information, bringing schools closer to businesses, rewarding institutions for successful employment of graduates, and providing incentives for entrepreneurs. (SK)

Training policy should try to match changing demand for skills with a labor supply that is changing qualitatively and quantitatively. Infrastructural reform involves establishing closer links between education, training, and the workplace and redirecting funds to new training priorities. (Author/JOW)

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)