The COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020 triggered a recession and deep changes in Washington's labor market. Widespread temporary business closures, followed by a slow-paced phased reopening, have caused soaring unemployment rates. Workers are looking to improve their employability in a rapidly shifting economic landscape by reskilling into…

The recent health crisis -- and unprecedented, rapid job loss associated with it -- has illuminated how unprepared the United States is for helping workers who lose their jobs reskill to prepare for and successfully enter new employment. Policy responses to the current crisis -- while critical -- have fallen far short of addressing challenges…

A number of costs are associated with the implementation of trade agreements not the least of which is the cost to the American workforce. The information age ushered in an era of globalization unlike anything the world economy had experienced before. As countries raced forward to dominate emerging markets and grow market share, millions of…

This good practice guide is based on the report "Industry Restructuring and Job Loss: Helping Older Workers Get Back into Employment" by Victor J. Callan and Kaye Bowman. The aim of the research was to identify evidence-based practices that led to successful skills transfer, re-skilling, training and the attainment of new jobs for older…

Globalisation and increased competition bring with them many benefits for business, consumers and the economy. But they can also result in the restructuring of industries not able to compete with changing economic markets. In the past, Australia has witnessed restructuring in many high-profile businesses, especially those in its manufacturing…

Many have heard calls from national policy experts, the Obama administration, and influential foundations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Lumina Foundation for Education to increase the number of Americans with postsecondary credentials earned at community colleges by 5 million within 10 years. If community colleges choose to…

This bibliography summarizes recent research on the structure and effectiveness of workforce development programs. While the term "workforce development" can mean many things, this document focuses on programs to help low-skill, low-wage and displaced workers increase their employment and earnings, as well as labor market trends that…

Application of queuing theory to displaced-worker data indicates that White men head the queue in reemployment after displacement. White women experience gender discrimination, Black men are racially disadvantaged and do not benefit from gender, Black women are doubly disadvantaged, and Hispanic men benefit from gender. (SK)

A literature review shows that job displacement is widespread, peaks during economic downturns, and is concentrated in states and industries that are doing poorly. Displaced workers experience more nonemployment than do nondisplaced workers and their earning losses are large and persistent. Outcomes for all displaced workers are heavily influenced…

Study of 72 displaced engineers in a retraining program showed that better training performance led to more successful employment outcomes; higher career motivation was related to lower training behavior and outcomes; and more experienced workers were less able to cope with change and had less positive outcomes. (SK)

The Leisure/Occupational Connection Search is a self-assessment instrument that measures transferable skills developed in leisure pursuits. When used by 112 displaced workers, 74% felt it helped develop awareness of their transferable skills; over 60% increased awareness of their occupational and educational options. (SK)

A study of 180 laid-off defense industry workers in Scotland showed that outplacement advice and support they received varied by gender, age, and skill level. Typically, the jobs in which they were reemployed were temporary, part time, and at lower skill levels. (SK)

This report describes the performance of New York City's Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) adult training providers. It discusses challenges currently faced by providers, and recommends strategies for improving the performance of the city's employment and training system, including those arising from the implementation of the Workforce…

This document is designed to help mature persons find the "right" professional, managerial, or technical jobs. Section 1 introduces the materials. Section 2 shows job seekers how to write a general statement that defines the nature of the position desired and how to assess their skills, abilities, interests, work values, and personal qualities…

A study examined the labor market mobility of displaced workers, using a new data file that matches the January 1984, 1986, and 1988 Displaced Worker Surveys (DWS) to the March Current Population Surveys in the same years. This large database provides information on displaced workers and their families and permits comparison of the geographic…