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Thursday, March 1, 2012

Shanker Blog » Apprenticeships: A Rigorous And Tested Training Model For Workers And Management

Shanker Blog » Apprenticeships: A Rigorous And Tested Training Model For Workers And Management:

Apprenticeships: A Rigorous And Tested Training Model For Workers And Management

Our guest author today is Robert I. Lerman, Institute Fellow at the Urban Institute and Professor of Economics at American University. Professor Lerman conducts research and policy analyses on employment, income support and youth development, especially as they affect low-income populations. He served on the National Academy of Sciences panel examining the U.S. post-secondary education and training system for the workplace.

In a recent Washington Post article, Peter Whoriskey points out the striking paradox of serious worker shortages at a time of high unemployment. His analysis is one of many indicating the difficulties faced by manufacturing firms in hiring enough workers with adequate occupational skills. As a result, many firms are having serious problems meeting the demand for their products, putting on long shifts, and turning down orders.