The United States has provided generations of its residents with the prospect of advancing themselves through education and hard work, and U.S. leaders have the opportunity to make sure this continues for generations to come. To do so, they must handle the national deficit in a decisive, thoughtful manner, ensuring a prosperous future for the…

Five major challenges facing vocational education are (1) the changing demographic composition of the United States; (2) the shift from a manufacturing to a service economy and decline in productivity; (3) composition of the labor force; (4) reform of preparation for work; and (5) the politics of race. (SK)

This article argues that in the upcoming decades, older workers will be competing against the largest cohort of middle-aged workers in our country's history. In the absence of other options, the elderly may feel increased pressure to retire or work part time. (Author/SSH)

Uses concept of equivalent retirement ages to explain old age dependency ratio. Asserts that a future larger, able aging population could continue to work, compensating for the smaller, younger labor force. Economic growth as the foundation of economic security is emphasized as a means of lessening cost of caring for society's dependents.…

The shift in age mix due to the baby boom of the 1950s will have a striking effect on the labor force. Since much of the nation's welfare is linked to human resources (and adults are an increasingly important part of that resource) vocational education will be called upon to help meet that need. (SSH)

Examines the prospects of a labor deficiency in the United States in the next two decades and suggests policy alternatives which will aid the difficult transition from a high unemployment to a labor deficient economy. (Author)

Numbering approximately 62,005 and representing 15.3% of the total Alaska population in 1975, Alaska Natives are a finite and predominately rural subpopulation. However, a significant portion of the Alaska Native Work Force (estimated at 13,854) now resides in the major urban areas and is available to the Statewide Work Force. Statistics from May,…

Diversity has become a business issue because it affects performance. Only a few companies are training managers and formulating policies for managing diversity, but all will have to face the issue during the next decade. (JOW)

First-generation immigrants play a crucial role in the U.S. economy, but despite their pivotal role many immigrant workers confront enormous challenges in the labor force. The immigrant population increased from 19.8 million in 1990 to 31.1 million in 2000, comprising 11.1% of the U.S. population and 12.4% of the nation's workforce. Immigrants are…

Identifies potential societal changes and examines the consequences of shifting demographic patterns and job force composition for community and junior colleges. Emphasizes that two-year colleges are well-positioned to meet the changing educational needs of the coming decade. (CAM)

The influx of minorities into the workplace requires attention to their participation in workplace training, to race relations and organizational culture, and to potential communication difficulties. Human resource professionals must address cultural diversity issues as they affect the attainment of organizational goals. (SK)

Implications of current economic, social, and educational trends for proprietary schools are (1) increased emphasis on lifelong education; (2) need for special support for at-risk groups; (3) imperative for school-business partnerships; (4) increased competition in postsecondary education; and (5) need for better institutional planning and…

Canadian baby-boomers will reach old age around 2020. Until then, they represent a large, well-educated generation whose economic productivity provides a strong base on which to build the necessary systems of income support, health and social service delivery, and economic adjustment that will be required to age gracefully. Canadians can expect…

Demography is clear about present cohorts; the future will include the same cohorts--only older. However, uncontrollable external forces are going to be dominant in determining America's destiny. To be effective the nation must respond quickly to these changes: the shift from a manufacturing to a service economy, an increasing number of…

When looking at current data on families, it is important to examine many of the assumptions held concerning families. While families do share common needs and aspirations, it is unwise to invoke an image of the family which assumes that all families fulfill tasks in the same way. Practitioners in the fields of education and the social services…