Low-skilled jobs: the reality behind the popular perceptions
What are low-skilled jobs?
Who fills low-skilled positions?
The economic environment facing workers in low-skilled positions
The argument for skills
Policy solutions
First chance: building skills in public schools
Second chance: out-of-school programs
Demand side
Safety nets
Summary
Local labor markets and low-skilled jobs: theory and data
The conventional description of the market for workers in low-skilled jobs
An alternative to the conventional view
Our data
Summary
How skills matter
Skill patterns exist across occupations and industries
Wages and training do not change with labor market changes
Skills with high relative demand increase wages
Summary and conclusions
Recruiting and screening workers in low-skilled positions
Firms' recruiting and screening of workers varies with firm size
Firms' recruiting and screening methods are related to skills
Firms modify recruiting and screening methods with labor market conditions
More skilled individuals use more sophisticated job search methods for low-skilled positions
Summary and conclusions
Skills, promotions, and low-skilled positions
Promotional opportunities with expanded duties exist
Skills in the entry-level position are correlated with skills in the next position
Successful applicants have above-minimum qualifications
Skill requirements in entry-level jobs do not determine advancement potential
Summary and conclusions
Labor markets for workers in low-skilled positions: how can policies help workers?
The labor market for workers in low-skilled positions: the employer's view
The labor market for workers in low-skilled jobs: the worker's view
The second-chance policy solution: WIA training
Policy implications
Appendix A: Background tables and variable construction
References
The author
Index
About the institute.