In April 2013, "NEJHE" launched its "New Directions for Higher Education" series to examine emerging issues, trends and ideas that have an impact on higher education policies, programs and practices. In this installment, DiSalvio interviews Matthew Sigelman, CEO of Burning Glass Technologies, a Boston-based labor market…

The recent response by Anthony Carnevale et al. to the authors' analysis of the fundamental shortcomings associated with their predictions of widespread college labor shortages focuses on three areas. First, Anthony Carnevale et al. suggest that the authors are educational Luddites by noting in the title of their response that the authors believe…

This article argues that in today's knowledge societies, European universities are called upon to make students more employable, by cultivating their skills and by encouraging them to lifelong learning for enhancing their flexibility in the labour market. Employability is emphatically stressed and, to a certain extent, is associated with equity…

There are many uncertainties about the magnitude and nature of labor shortages. Data needed to identify and quantify shortages are not available from national statistical offices so most of what is known comes from employer reports. (JOW)

There is not enough evidence to conclude either that many college graduates are employed in jobs that do not require a degree or that there is a shortage of college graduates in the labor market. (JOW)

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)

The "other" flexible work force includes the unemployed and low-wage, part-time, temporary, and seasonal workers who are flexible but not by choice. The new labor market may be limited in terms of demand for high skills but may have great need for unskilled, disposable workers. (SK)

Contends that a continued increase in labor force requirements which previously was satisfied by a reduction of farm labor needs, increased workforce participation of women, and a cyclic baby boom, will result in a future labor shortage. Offers a rationale for training and providing support services for the unemployed. (DMM)

The current labor market is plagued by skills and wage gaps. Schools must ensure that students graduate with skills that are in demand. (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)

The job market should be considered as interaction between supply and demand, and not from the perspective of new and emerging occupations. Three recent major post-World War II changes in the human resources posture have tended to create labor surpluses: shift from rural South to urban North, increased number of working women, and the postwar baby…

The private sector offers a variety of entry-level employment opportunities for associate degree holders in recreation and leisure. Eight proposals for discovering these jobs are presented. (JMF)

Issues of the medical specialty distribution problem are identified: how to provide an appropriate balance of generalists and consultant physicians and how to ensure appropriate use of technology by physicians. To improve the quality of medical services, the profession must be concerned about the types and numbers of future physicians. (MLW)

Postsecondary technical schools are failing to keep pace with expanding career opportunities in the technical job market. Improved counseling and testing methods could provide more trained technicians to fill the jobs. Technical school personnel must provide the potential student population with information about alternatives in technical fields.…

Labor and economic issues in the United States for the coming decade are related to their impact on the vocational future of persons with mental retardation. A lack of workers in the services industry and an increased emphasis on vocational training suggests improved prospects for competitive employment positions for this population. (Author/DB)