Essay on Labor Market, Education and Training

The paper is fundamental as it points out to various issues entailing the aspect of social stratification and mobility. These element has been depicted in the acquisition of education that was viewed in different perspectives among individuals. Moreover, it also illustrates developments that have been ongoing in the labor market as a result of being influenced by education acquisition among people. The paper was created by authors to portray the changes that occur in the job market when there is the presence of educated individuals who can be hired to perform various duties in an efficient way. It was further developed to focus on how a change in patterns of employment and the occupational structure influences the educational system. The changes that took place in the labor markets and the structure of occupation due to an expansion of secondary and post-secondary education was also the focus of the authors of the paper.

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Various contributions have been depicted in the paper. School attendance is attributed to individuals being able to acquire an occupation in the labor market. The increase in demand for skilled labor in various workplaces results to an increase in school enrollments as well. This is as a result of people wanting to obtain the requirements that are needed in the labor market. Additionally, it was established that students usually stay in school for long due to the aspect of credentials inflation. This is where occupations with the highest pay or privileges require high educational achievements. This has further resulted in changes in the labor market where occupations are increasing the educational requirements needed (Walters, 1984). As such, upgrading of skills has been depicted to be vital for people to fit in the labor market.

The aspect of high educational requirements in the labor market has also resulted in individuals change of preferences. This is where they prefer to be in school instead of working and obtain low wages and salaries. Moreover, the lack of attractive competing opportunities has resulted in a vast number of people opting for school than work. On the other hand, there are structural openings accessible for learners to advance to the next educational system. Despite educational opportunities being scarce, there has been a high demand among students who want to be enrolled (Walters, 1984). It is thus evident that the occupational structure resulted in the development or expansion of enrollments of the secondary and tertiary schools.

Walters (1984) concluded that the impacts on the growth of secondary and tertiary education can be attributed to work opportunities that vary regarding the skills and knowledge required. On the other hand, during 1922-1979, expansion of secondary education was influenced by employment in agriculture and manufacturing sector. Notwithstanding the professional-technical occupations requiring high-level skills, it would also be necessary for individuals to portray a historical increase in their level of competencies for the skilling argument to be fully met.

The paper has presented the research in a comprehensive manner and supported all their arguments with a reference list at the end. However, there are no in-text citations to depict the source of particular pieces of evidence. It is thus challenging to identify the source of information with the lack of in-text citations.

Walters (1984) discussed that changes in work opportunities caused the variations in the industrial and labor market influences on the education in the US. It was observed that students might have left school when good prospects presented themselves in the industry market. On the other hand, they may have extended their stay in learning institutions when the occupation market was observed to be strict regarding requirements or needs.

The paper is fundamental to anticipate future occupations as a result of the change in requirements of skills and knowledge required for individuals. Various occupations are increasing the level of requirements that they need job candidates to have before they can be considered for hiring and employment. Furthermore, the requirements of standards regarding skills and knowledge will continue to be at a high level. Stiff competition in various occupations is another aspect that to be expected in future as a result of most people gaining access to education and training. As such, there will be a high supply of labor and low demand in various occupations in the market (Walters, 1984). This will then result to most people not being able to obtain employment opportunities in the labor market.

Walters (1984) has pointed out that the level of education rises over time due to the changes in the occupational structure of the country. On the other hand, the occupational structure has been changing due to the new skills and requirements needed to deliver the desired outcomes in an organization. Additionally, the levels of education are on the rise due to the high number of students seeking to be enrolled. The high demand or education is thus an aspect that has profoundly contributed for the levels to increase since there is the perception that not everyone will be in a position to reach those levels. Some people may give up along the way and opt to enter the labor market with the skills that they have acquired no matter how low or insignificant it may appear. On the other hand, other people may be faced with financial limitations that may hinder them from accessing education up to the level that is in the market.

The demand for education by individuals in schools or universities is due to the desire to fit in the occupational structure in the country and thus be a part of the labor market. Most people want to prepare their occupations and as a result, have continued to enroll in high numbers in schools and even universities. An increase in the demand for skilled labor in the workplace is another aspect that has led to an increase in the demand for education by people. On the other hand, some people view school as a substitute to work. This mostly occurs when people are pushed out of the labor market as a result of lack of attractive competing job opportunities. The school has thus become a competitor to work and has then brought the calculation of working versus going to school. Perceived future occupational opportunities are also another element that has resulted in most people going to school (Walters, 1984).

An assumption of the model used for analyzing the paper is that education and work are the primary interests of the population. As such, people either want to gain an education or even increase the levels they have or simply work with little or no skills and knowledge as well. There is also the assumption that the youth have been attracted to education such that they have the desire as little as they can so that they can fit in the labor market (Walters, 1984). However, not all individuals and even the youth are attracted to education or even acquiring white collar jobs.

References

Walters, P. (1984). Occupational and Labor Market Effects on Secondary and Postsecondary Educational Expansion in the United States: 1922 to 1979. American Sociological Association, 49(5), 659-671. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/2095423