As the Minnesota and national economy become more reliant on knowledge than raw materials, the need for educated employees with sophisticated, flexible skills will rise. In the 1980s the second and larger half of the baby boom generation completed college and entered the work force. Despite the rapid increase in the young college-educated…

In 1991, followup studies of the employment and educational status of 1990-1991 occupational program graduates were conducted by the seven community colleges in the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota: Anoka-Ramsey, Cambridge Center, Inver Hills, Lakewood, Minneapolis, North Hennepin, and Normandale. While the colleges used different questionnaire…

A study reviewed the efforts of six states (California, Florida, Minnesota, Oregon, Texas, and Washington) to create new policies and strategies to support low-income individuals as they work. The study found the following: (1) working steadily initially after leaving welfare is linked to being employed in later years but is not linked to higher…

In the face of the emergence of a global, technology-driven, skills-based economy and a continuing shortage of skilled labor in Minnesota, a study examined the development of a world-class training system for the state's workers and businesses. The study found the following: (1) there is an urgent need to address the high-skill needs of both…

A study was conducted to increase understanding of how postsecondary vocational education programs in Minnesota link to the labor market. The process used was to examine the types of jobs selected by program graduates and the consistency of stability in the job selection patterns among area vocational-technical institutes offering the same…

A total of 130 Minnesota employers who had participated in local welfare-to-work partnerships with social service agencies and other community members were interviewed by telephone for their views on welfare reform. (This nonrandom sample was selected by partnership staff.) Differences among rural and urban/suburban employers were examined, and…

The impacts of 20 welfare-to-work programs across the United States were evaluated to determine which clients derive the greatest benefits from different approaches to moving individuals from welfare to work. Of the 20 programs examined, 7 were characterized as employment focused, 5 provided a mix of first activities without an employment focus, 4…

This proceedings includes the following papers and carousel presentations: "Information Technology Related Career Development Needs of Secondary Vocational Teachers" (Joe W. Kotrlik, Betty C. Harrison, Donna H. Redmann, Cindy S. Handley); "Do Gender and Academic Risk Matter? Influences on Career Decision Making and Occupational…