Although technology eliminates jobs, it can save and create jobs as well. Technological change also affects the level of skills required of the labor force. Postsecondary institutions need to ensure that the highly educated, highly skilled, adaptable, and creative labor force demanded by employers is available. (JOW)

A futurist addresses two questions concerning world peace and the implications of using robots. In the section on peace (part 1), recommendations for world peace include: (1) implementing peace education as a mandatory part of education; (2) establishing a Department of Peace in each country to create a societal infrastructure for implementing…

The author analyzes the development of continuing training legislation in West Germany since 1969, especially the Labor Promotion Act Arbeitsfoerderungsgesetz (AFG). Issues discussed include: occupational mobility in relation to skills, trainee demographic characteristics, AFG funding changes, and the social consequences of unemployment and…

Addresses three issues raised by Ann Irving in her article in this yearbook: the unique contributions of a librarian to the processes of teaching and learning; the deskilling of the librarian; and the future of the school library media professional. Information literacy and the influence of information technologies are also discussed. (LRW)

Undertrained workers, not dislocated workers, are the real problem in the American economy. The vast majority of the workers affected by structural change in the American economy appear to make employment transitions fairly swiftly and smoothly, with no need for public intervention. Undertrained workers, mostly employed and scattered in all…

Despite current questions about the rate of return on educational investments, there is still a positive correlation between years of schooling and income, as well as job satisfaction. The real problem is not study and work; rather attention should be directed to the problem of nonstudy and work. (Author/AF)

The way resources are deployed to educate Americans will affect, as never before, productivity, the economy, and the quality of life. To maintain the present standard of living, Americans will be dependent on a continuous infusion of scientific breakthroughs and productivity-enhancing technology. Periodic upgrading of skills will be a necessity…

Despite predictions in the 1950's and 1960's that computer technology would reduce job opportunities by 90%, historical data published by the Department of Labor reveal that total manpower demands accelerated from 1947 through 1977 and were primarily satisfied by a decreased demand for farm laborers, an increase in percentage of women in the…

Technology transfer, that is, the dissemination of the results of research and development to the general community, is discussed in this report in relation to the learning society and the mission of the community college. First, definitions of technology are presented and the rapid pace of technological change worldwide is examined. Then, the…

This working paper, part of a project on the applicability of the French training system in the United States, argues that a systematic national commitment to midcareer worker retraining is necessary for American prosperity and international economic competitiveness. Although findings of the early human capital theorists demonstrated that an…

A look at the potential impact of high technology suggests that there may be a dim side to the popular view that high technology is the answer to America's educational and occupational problems. In reality, as technology advances continue, required job skills will decrease further. High technology will account for only 7 percent of all new jobs…

Implications for universities of high technology industries and the labor market are unclear. There is a need to ease the transition for those categories of workers who will be affected: women, low- and medium-skill workers in manufacturing, and certain categories of middle-level managers. The provision of highly qualified personnel is the…

The current pressure to look seriously at the connection between the economy and the educational and occupational skills of adults is being driven by changes in both economic conditions and the makeup of the U.S. labor force. Manufacturing has declined, taking with it low-skill, high-wage jobs, and the work force has more immigrants, women, and…

During the next two decades, vocational education will face a major challenge to keep up to date with technology. National crises usually lead to new technologies. The United States today faces major problems in the areas of energy, productivity, and foreign trade. Solutions to these problems will generate new knowledge and technology that will…

A study of the involvement of continuing higher education in professional and occupational regulation should focus on the growth of practice regulation, roles of higher education, and issues and areas for cooperation in meeting the practitioners' needs. Knowledge obsolescence and the definition of more specific fields have led to a heightened need…