Book chapter 2021

Building labor market skills among disadvantaged US workers: Fouryear college degrees and alternatives

HH
Holzer, Harry J.
Human Capital Policy: Reducing Inequality, Boosting Mobility and Productivity
Journal · pp. 193-210
Abstract

This chapter reviews recent empirical evidence on skill-building among low-income youth and adults in the United States. It focuses on skills and credentials that are well-rewarded in the labor market and the different means of attaining them. It reviews benefits and limitations of college attendance for disadvantaged youth and adults. It also considers alternatives to higher education (high-quality career and technical education, models of work-based learning and sectoral training for youth or adults. A caveat is that good post-secondary education and workforce programs will mostly not make up for poor K-12 academic preparation. The need for other policies to strengthen early education outcomes, or to provide incentives to and assist workers whose skills will remain very poor, remains in effect. © Korea Development Institute and East-West Center 2021.

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Author Affiliations
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., United States
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
References 10 References
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