Search Results

A growing segment of the US workforce - older workers - face challenges such as a greater chance of being unemployed for a longer period of time than younger workers and skill obsolescence in contemporary societies. In an age of fast-paced economic and technological change, ongoing investment in human capital in the form of skill training represents a potential strategy for improving older workers' employment prospects. However, empirical evidence is lacking on the relationship between basic skill competencies and employment outcomes for older workers in general. This study analyzed nationally representative data of adults aged 45 to 65 years (n = 2,169) from the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies. Literacy skills were used as the main measure of competencies. Results from multinomial logistic regression identified statistically significant positive associations between literacy skills and employment among older workers. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed.

Published abstract reprinted by permission of the copyright owner. Show less

Advancing technologies such as artificial intelligence and robots are steadily replacing jobs in the USA. Continuous skill-upgrading and re-skilling are critical for workers to remain employable throughout their careers. In these social and economic contexts, community colleges play significant roles to provide workforce education and training because of their open admission, lower tuition, and shorter and more specific occupational programs compared to four-year universities. However, the detailed data of jobs at risk of automation are currently unavailable to inform future community college programs. This study used the national occupation and risk-of-automation data to estimate specific numbers of jobs at risk by industries and age groups.

Results showed that approximately 48 per cent of the jobs could be replaced within two decades. Four industries (1) service; (2) sales and office; (3) natural resources, construction, and maintenance; and (4) production, transportation, and material moving were at a particularly higher risk (up to 75 per cent). At the same time, computer, engineering, and health-care occupations had a lower risk (up to 12 per cent). The estimated numbers of jobs at risk inform community colleges' strategic planning.

Published abstract reprinted by permission of the copyright owner. Show less

Continuous learning over the life course is necessary to effectively compete in a knowledge-based global economy. Shifts in the age structure of the US labor force combined with increased labor force participation among older adults add to the importance of gaining a better understanding of how adult education and training (AET) influences labor market outcomes for middle-aged and older workers. This study used data from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) and the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) to examine the relationship in the US between participation in AET programs and employment, labor force participation, income, and net worth for adults aged 45 to 65. Participation in an AET program in the 12 months preceding the survey significantly improved the log odds of both employment and labor force participation and significantly improved the log odds of moving up one income quintile. Lower income groups and the unemployed were less likely to participate in AET than higher income groups and the employed. [The authors] also compared outcomes of AET participation in the US with those in Germany, Japan, Sweden, and the UK and examined policies for lifelong learning in those countries. Show less

Despite the desire of many older adults to remain in the workforce, those without jobs face unprecedented durations of unemployment. Many of the unemployed lack current skills for jobs in demand and need to either upgrade their skills or be trained for a new occupation to become reemployed. An aging workforce, combined with the negative effects of the recent economic downturn, has increased the importance of identifying strategies to encourage working at older ages. In recent years there has been increased focus on training that results in a credential; much of this training takes place at community colleges. The present study examined community college involvement in outreach and support programs for older displaced workers. This involved interviews with 27 key informants at 14 community colleges to gain an understanding of the role community colleges play in linking older students to credential or certificate programs. Effective strategies for community college involvement in workforce training were identified and include outreach programs for older students, providing advice for specific programs of study, support during the program to ensure completion, job placement services, and continuing education for skill upgrading.

Published abstract reprinted by permission of the copyright owner. Show less

Workers are remaining in the labor force at older ages; and, despite their desire to work, those without jobs face unprecedented durations of unemployment. Many of the unemployed lack current skills for jobs in demand and need to either upgrade their skills or be trained for a new occupation to become re-employed. An aging workforce combined with concerns about the long-term viability of social welfare programs has increased the importance of identifying strategies to encourage working at older ages. In recent years there has been increased focus on training that results in a credential; much of this training takes place at community colleges.

The present study examined community college involvement in educational programs for older workers. This involved interviews and site visits at 14 community colleges to gain an understanding of the role community colleges play in linking older students to credential or certificate programs. Effective strategies for community college involvement in workforce training were identified and include outreach programs for older students, providing advice for specific programs of study, support during the program to ensure completion, job placement services, and continuing education for skill upgrading.

Published abstract reprinted by permission of the copyright owner. Show less

Middle aged and older workers constitute a growing segment of the US labor force. These workers face considerable challenges in the wake of the Great Recession, which have important consequences for the sustainability of social safety net programs and the US economy as a whole. Despite the policy implications of significant unemployment among middle aged and older workers, little is known about specific factors impacting labor market outcomes for this age group, including the role of adult education and training (AET) and literacy and numeracy skills. This study used data from the 2014 Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) National Supplement to examine relationships among educational attainment, participation in AET, skill proficiencies, health, and economic outcomes for US adults ages 45-74 who are unemployed or not in the labor force.

Overall, employed adults ages 45-65 participate in lifelong learning activities significantly more than the unemployed and out of the labor force groups. On average, the unemployed and out of the labor force groups had significantly lower literacy skills than the employed group among those ages 45-65. There was a positive relationship between literacy skills and self-rated health in both the 45-65 and 66-74 age groups. Findings are discussed in view of labor, education and public health policies in order to enhance the well-being of middle-aged and older adults in the US.

Published abstract. Show less