Occupational Statistics: A Tool for Determining Manpower Needs

The lack of accurate, current, and detailed occu pational data seriously handicaps our analysis of manpower supply and requirements. In spite of limitations of the data, labor force and occupational composition projections have been developed. The major changes expected in the labor force between 1958 and 1970 are: a sharp rise in the youngest age groups, 14 to 24; a much smaller increase in the number of male workers 2 5 to 44; and substantial growth in the numbers 45 and over. A shortage of male workers in the important age groups from 25 to 44 years is expected. These groups normally supply the trained workers required to replace losses resulting from deaths and retirements and to fill expanding needs created by advancing technology. Occupational projections for the 1960's indicate a rapid growth of the so-called white-collar occupations and a slower growth in the blue-collar occupations accompanied by a continuing rise in the skill level for crafts- men. Among the white-collar workers, the employment of scientists, engineers, and technicians is expected to increase twice as fast as the labor force as a whole. The need for more and better education and training for increasing numbers in our labor force will create new and difficult problems in the decades ahead.