In 2004 NCVER invited proposals from a consortia of researchers to address questions relating to changing work skill needs and work organisation arrangements and their implications for the vocational education and training sector. The National Institute of Labour Studies, Flinders University, and the Centre for Post-compulsory Education and…

Economic upheaval in Central and Eastern Europe has led to excessive labor supply, increased unemployment, and enforced economic inactivity. Economic policies promoting growth, efficiency, and education and training to improve the quality and adaptability of the workforce are needed. (SK)

Compares two models of vocational education policy in England: the traditional Learning and Skills Council approach relying on institutional change and increased skills supply and the Performance and Innovation Unit's focus on skill demand. Outlines weaknesses in the supply-side approach but suggests that demand-side policy must overcome…

Canadian federal reports of current and future demographic and employment trends, altered demand patterns, changing technology, new challenges of employment and unemployment, and a narrowing global community indicate that a comprehensive, cooperative human resource strategy is essential to economic health and international competitiveness.…

Case studies were conducted in industrial enterprises of varying sizes and a university library in Hong Kong that have introduced advanced technology. The studies investigated the management of technological change, vocational training, and human resources development at the workplace, as well as the repercussions on work attitudes, the…

The United States requires a coordinated, national approach to human resource development that will result in the establishment of priorities, detailed planning, and the full use of public and private resources backed by adequate state and federal funding. Problems of unemployment, underemployment, skilled worker shortages, national defense needs…

This compilation of four papers examines past and current retirement policies for the elderly and the implications of these policies for labor supply job choice, and educational planning for the elderly. The first paper, by Jennifer Warlick, presents a review of past federal policies on retirement and a discussion of proposed policy changes.…

An examination of the conventional wisdom that the economy will face a labor shortage was done in three stages. First, the demand side of the labor market was analyzed. Changes in the skill requirements of jobs from 1973-86 were examined as were those changes anticipated by projections of the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2000. The conclusion was…

This report describes and summarizes the discussion at a national leadership meeting conducted by the National Alliance of Business. The meeting focused on the complex and challenging economic, social, and educational issues facing today's youth. Participants included business executives, foundation presidents, mayors, state legislators, county…

This paper's overiew of the relationship between vocational education and productivity includes the presentation of results from a multiple regression analysis of vocational education enrollments and various productivity indices. This tentative analysis contributes additional observations to the studies reviewed and offers pertinent suggestions…

The predictions in "Workforce 2000" and "Civil Service 2000" were examined with regard to work and workers. Focus was on demographic changes that had occurred and were expected to occur in the civilian and federal labor force and were relevant to federal employment policy formation. Activities included review of demographic data and review of…

Provided in this report are a number of empirical and conceptual papers dealing with barriers to youth employment. The first paper, "Barriers to Youth Employment: A Review," contains a summary of more than 100 reports on causes of youth employability problems and poses several alternative strategies for formulation of youth labor market policy.…

Recalls the experiences of two North Dakota men who worked in New Deal jobs programs during the depression. Provides a personal look at the achievements and the administration of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Includes classroom suggestions for teachers. (MJP)

The General Accounting Office examined existing and anticipated concerns related to the recruitment and retention of nurse and nurses aides. Special attention was paid to the following aspects of the problem: (1) factors contributing to the current and anticipated shortage among nurses; (2) what is known about the current and projected supply of…

The transition from education to working life in the European Union (EU) was examined through a review of data from the following sources: the European Labour Force Survey; The Vocational Education and Training Data Collection (an annual collection of data produced by Eurostat); and national data supplied to the European Training Foundation by…