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American Working Conditions Survey
Aug 14, 2017
Labor Markets
Productive labor markets are the backbone of strong communities. For more than two decades, RAND Education and Labor researchers have conducted studies related to whether labor markets are functioning efficiently, and how they can be enhanced to provide opportunities for all. We have deep experience on both sides of the labor market. On the supply side, our work on human capital and workforce development helps public and private sector decisionmakers understand how to keep workers productive, knowledgeable, and engaged. On the demand side, our work seeks to understand what drives firms’ choices about how many and what types of workers to employ, and entrepreneurs’ decisions about starting and growing new firms.
RAND Education and Labor does intensive research on the ways in which the dynamics of labor supply and demand interact, analyzing wages, employment, demographics, public assistance benefits, and other dynamics; making informed projections of demand for, and supply of, skills; identifying constraints on employment growth; and recommending pathways to progress. We also help decisionmakers understand how to utilize data to inform labor market policymaking.
Workers in the Pandemic
RAND Education and Labor researchers offer insights on the challenges facing U.S. workers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Explore the latest RAND commentary on labor markets, workers, and employers during the pandemic.
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Featured Research
Recent Publications
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Crisis Beyond the Crises: MENA's Youth Unemployment Problem August 5, 2020
An unwavering commitment to fostering youth employment- and thus to overcome the crisis beyond the crises- seems necessary to ensure a prosperous future for the youthful MENA region, and critical to guarantee stability and security in the time to come.
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Addressing Employment Obstacles for Young Syrian Refugee Women June 30, 2020
This Note builds on research covering the three countries with the highest concentration of Syrian refugees displaced since 2011: Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon.
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The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Changing Nature of Work: Lose Your Job, Show Up to Work, or Telecommute? June 18, 2020
Stay-at-home orders save lives, but the extent to which they threaten livelihoods depends on the nature of one's work. This report examines how much the ability to work from home has mitigated the economic effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The data were collected through the RAND American Life Panel as part of an ongoing analysis of the effects of COVID-19.
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Preserving Small Businesses: Small-Business Owners Speak About Surviving the COVID-19 Pandemic May 22, 2020
With the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic causing economic dislocations worldwide, RAND researchers interviewed 21 small-business owners and found that the most common concerns focused on a need for assistance in covering fixed operating costs and on worker safety. Adjustments to existing policies were also discussed, such as clear rules for reopening businesses and coordinated reopening policies across neighboring jurisdictions.
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The Appalachia Partnership Initiative's Investments in Education, Workforce Development, and Catalyzing the Community: Reflections from 2014 Through 2019 May 6, 2020
RAND researchers assess the Appalachia Partnership Initiative (API)'s progress toward its vision and goals in improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education for grades K–12; energy and advanced manufacturing workforce development; and community building from 2014 through 2019. It is the final report in a multi-report series.
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The Appalachia Partnership Initiative's Investments in Workforce Development and Catalyzing the Community: Reflections from 2014 Through 2018 April 7, 2020
RAND Corporation researchers are conducting an assessment of the Appalachia Partnership Initiative's (API's) progress toward its vision and goals, with interim assessments conducted annually from 2016 to 2019. This report is the third assessment, and its authors consider the API's strategic alignment, beneficiaries, effectiveness, community catalyst, and sustainability.
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Pursuing Excellence in Graduate Education and Research While Serving Regional Development February 12, 2020
This chapter examines policies that Texas can use to encourage institutions to pursue excellence in graduate education and research, while meeting state labour market needs.
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Using Workforce Data to Plan Higher Education Degree Programs February 12, 2020
In this chapter, we summarize some findings and lessons from a series of projects for the state of Texas to help improve the alignment of higher education degree programs and workforce needs.