The ways in which vocational education can be strengthened to contribute most effectively to national education and economic goals are the subject of this book. It discusses changes in the economy and in the nature of jobs that affect the skills needed in the workplace; unemployment conditions, particularly among the young; and the educational implications of these changes and conditions. The book takes a critical look at vocational education, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the system, and makes specific recommendations for its improvement.

Why the United States lags behind other industrialized countries in sharing the benefits of innovation with workers and how we can remedy the problem. The United States has too many low-quality, low-wage jobs. Every country has its share, but those in the United States are especially poorly paid and often without benefits. Meanwhile, overall productivity increases steadily and new technology has transformed large parts of the economy, enhancing the skills and paychecks of higher paid knowledge workers. What’s wrong with this picture? Why have so many workers benefited so little from decades of growth? The Work of the Future shows that technology is neither the problem nor the solution. We can build better jobs if we create institutions that leverage technological innovation and also support workers though long cycles of technological transformation. Building on findings from the multiyear MIT Task Force on the Work of the Future, the book argues that we must foster institutional innovations that complement technological change. Skills programs that emphasize work-based and hybrid learning (in person and online), for example, empower workers to become and remain productive in a continuously evolving workplace. Industries fueled by new technology that augments workers can supply good jobs, and federal investment in R&D can help make these industries worker-friendly. We must act to ensure that the labor market of the future offers benefits, opportunity, and a measure of economic security to all.

In Tomorrow’s Jobs Today, you’ll learn career tips, leadership secrets, and strategies from today’s most innovative business minds and renowned brands across the globe, including Paramount Pictures, State Farm Insurance, and PwC. You’ll discover exciting careers in emerging fields and find the unique toolset and education to land your dream job! Gain expertise with insights from Smart City CIOs, Data Protection Officers, Software Developers, Informatics Specialists, and many other skilled professionals on what it takes to succeed. Get indispensable resources like job descriptions, salary ranges, and a comprehensive directory of associations supporting these new professions. Explore technologies like Blockchain, Big Data, AgTech, the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Telematics, Health Information Technology, eDiscovery, and Cybersecurity and understand how they’ve transformed the job landscape. Tomorrow’s Jobs Today lets job seekers walk a virtual mile in the shoes of trailblazers who are changing the world! You’ll learn firsthand the diverse range of skills employers look for in top candidates and what to expect from a typical day at the office. This best-seller is for students determining which career track to embark on, guidance counselors and parents helping them, professionals between jobs, and everybody who wants a glimpse into the future of work!

Written by researchers in education and urban policy, this volume offers useful insights into how to provide urban workers with the educational qualifications they need for real world jobs.