This report is a response to congressional requests for the Congressional Research Service (CRS) to identify, synthesize, and explain the core components of the workforce skills gap discourse and, to the extent possible, explore and clarify evidence on the existence of skills gaps. The report acknowledges that the skills gap label is often applied…

The COVID-19 pandemic has spotlighted and accelerated two trends that were already occurring in the American workplace: First, the demand for new skills and competencies, including digital skills, from workers at every level. Second, the growing importance of investing in upskilling strategies that can help two groups of workers: Those who are…

Over the past several years, a number of new programs, policies, and initiatives designed to promote the employment of people with disabilities have been implemented by state and federal agencies, and are being evaluated to greater and lesser degrees. The purpose of this report is to provide a review of the recent evaluation activities being…

Provides a "deliberately provocative bird's-eye view" of new directions in thinking among economists concerned with education. Looks at the socialization function of schooling, the use of educational attainment as a hiring criterion, the importance of the "incomplete" employment contract, and labor market segmentation theory. Considers…

This booklet describes strategies and issues for recruiting and retaining minority faculty for greater diversity among faculty at colleges and universities. The booklet proposes that institutions must take both short-term and long-term measures; short-term efforts should increase institutional attractiveness to currently eligible minority…