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 reasons why work-sharing has gained increasing acceptance. Reasons include long-term unemployment, growing labor supply, and decreasing labor demand. The author reviews examples of current work-sharing schemes in Great Britain, Europe, and the United States. Future developments in work-sharing programs are discussed. (AM)

This article addresses the nursing shortage from an economic standpoint by exploring supply and demand factors that influence the availability of nurses. Demand factors include payment mechanisms, cost containment, and availability of substitutes. Supply factors include the women's movement, labor force participation, and entry-level preparation.…

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 relationship between vocational education/training (VET) and economic growth is complex. In less-advantaged regions with low skill levels, employers may adopt strategies accommodating low skills, creating a vicious circle. A more proactive strategy may be hindered by the new VET system in Britain. (SK)

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…

This article presents a brief account of some of the new directions that manpower planning has taken in recent years viewed primarily in the light of activities undertaken by the International Labour Office technical cooperation program in this field. (Author/CT)

Argues that matching education to jobs is unrealistic. Offers solutions to mitigate unemployment: forget labor force forecasting, relax minimum wage laws, devocationalize schools, encourage private schools, teach vocational skills in specialized schools or the workplace, and target subsidies to the poor. (SK)

The principle of supply and demand has been chosen to capture and present quantitatively an important data source for describing employment potential. The Pennsylvania State Occupational Information Coordinating Committee has developed an Occupational Information System (OIS) and companion microcomputer version (Micro-OIS). This system contains…

Massive emigration from Jamaica of professionals, technicians, managers and administrators, and skilled workers has resulted in a critical shortage of a well-educated work force. If present political and economic trends continue, this problem is likely to remain for some time to come. (ST)

Includes three articles: "More College Graduates May Be Chasing Fewer Jobs" (Shelley); "College Graduates: Do We Have Too Many or Too Few?" (Hecker); and "College Earnings and Why They Vary" (Hecker). (SK)

Industry's needs for students with high technology skills are increasing. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts project increases between 1980 and 1990 of 58% in the demand for computer professionals, 28% for engineers, and 24% for engineering technicians, compared with an increase of 17% for all workers. Industrial expansion and replacement of…

After asserting that public institutions should not provide training for nonexistent jobs, this paper reviews problems associated with the accurate prediction of future manpower needs. The paper reviews the processes currently used to project labor force needs and notes the difficulty of accurately forecasting labor market "surprises,"…