Enhancing Opportunities in Job Markets: Summary of Research and Recommendations for Policy.

Policy and program recommendations and a synthesis of 1970 research on manpower program evaluation, youth employment opportunity, labor market impediments to disadvantaged workers, effects of national policy on the poor, and race differences in income. A sustained high level of aggregate demand is important for the economic health of families of poor and moderate incomes. Admission into new occupations would give blacks a structure similar to whites. Sensitivity to demand is not counterbalanced by disadvantages imposed by inflation on the poor. Inequality in job opportunity continues to be pervasive. Employers continue to act out their uncertainty over new hires in less-frequent hiring and promotion of disadvantaged workers. Ways to increase promotion opportunities should be urgently sought. A high guarantee/high tax earning welfare program would benefit the poor without decreasing national output substantially. Other suggestions include (1) financial grants for long-distance moves; (2) a minimum wage tailored to young workers; (3) a new system of vocational education; and (4) improved organization of existing data. 65 pp. Ref.