As we approach this Labor Day, the Pennsylvania economy is growing steadily. Working families are sharing in prosperity in a more sustained way than at any point since 1980--although many families still struggle to make ends meet and, in our polarized nation, a big partisan divide exists in perceptions of whether the economy is better than four…

In this ever-changing world, particularly in attempting to overcome the challenges around COVID-19, the need to support the upskilling of all people in Northern Ireland has never been greater. The pandemic has led to significant rises in unemployment. These rises have been limited by the furlough scheme, but significant numbers of people were…

The economy's need for workers originates in the demand for the goods and services that they provide. So, to project employment, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) starts by projecting the gross domestic product (GDP) for 2018. GDP is the value of the final goods produced and services provided in the United States. Then, BLS estimates the…

The Great Recession left a crater in the labor market that has been devastating for unemployed Americans of all ages. After more than two years of unemployment at well over 8%, there is a hole of more than 11 million jobs, with average spells of unemployment lasting nearly nine months. The weak labor market has been particularly tough on young…

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…

It will take years for the labor market to recover from the damage induced by the recent recession. While monthly job losses almost surely peaked in 2009, the unemployment rate will likely peak in 2010 (CBO 2010a). In April, the unemployment rate reached 9.9% and the overall economic cause is simple: firms are not hiring quickly enough, as…

This document contains two essays: "Toward a High-Wage, High-Productivity Service Sector" by Lester Thurow; and "Service Sector Wages, Productivity and Job Creation in the U.S. and Other Countries" by Louise Waldstein. The first essay analyzes the recent and currrent U.S. economy under headings called Growth Nodes, Falling…

Every one of the 20 fastest-growing occupations, as listed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is in the service sector. Nearly all of the 15 million jobs that have been created since the November trough of the 1982 recession have been in the service sector. About half of these jobs pay at least $10 per hour, and those paying minimum wage or…

This review describes Alaska's economic boom of the early 1980s, the current recession, and economic projections for the 1990s. Alaska's economy is largely influenced by oil prices, since petroleum revenues make up 80% of the state government's unrestricted general fund revenues. Expansive state spending was responsible for most of Alaska's…

Three factors must be recognized in relating manpower policy to the needs of Blacks: an awareness of disciminatory practices; the priorities of training programs; and the projected needs and demands of the economy. (Author/MC)

In next 15 years, economy will grow more slowly than it did in 1980s because of slow growth in labor force. Service industry will provide most of new jobs, and higher educational attainment will be needed to enable people to compete in an increasingly diverse labor force. (Includes projections and expected competition for about 250 occupations.)…

Based on information from "Georgia Trend" magazine examining economic conditions across Georgia, Gainesville College (GC) is expected to experience an expanding base of students over the next 5 years. With respect to Hall County and the nine contiguous counties that make up GC's service area, data indicate a population growth in the…

Designed for use as a resource by state and local level vocational education professionals and policymakers, this report provides information pertaining to the current economic conditions within Texas, the nature and measurement of economic activity, prevailing economic trends, and projections for the future. Outlined first are current economic…

Recent and projected trends in the economy and implications for college graduates are considered. Projected changes during 1982-1995 in the employment of college-educated workers are indicated for about 85 occupations, using percentages indicating fast to slow increases/decreases in opportunity. Employment forecasts for the following types of…

This paper considers the economics of employment and education in industralized countries, particularly European countries. The paper covers six main topics. The first part deals with the present European employment situation, using figures mainly from Holland; the second part is an economic outlook for the 1980s; in the third, the employment and…