1. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN NEW MEXICO AND WEST TEXAS FOR GRADUATES OF A TWO-YEAR PROGRAM IN APPLIED HORTICULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY.
- Author
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New Mexico State Univ., University Park. and COBB, RICHARD A.
- Abstract
IN RESPONSE TO CHANGING OCCUPATIONAL PATTERNS, NEW LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS, THE INCREASING INTEREST OF URBAN STUDENTS, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW 2-YEAR AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE, A SURVEY OF HORTICULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY OCCUPATIONS WAS CONDUCTED. THE OBJECTIVES WERE TO (1) DETERMINE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND TRAINING NEEDS, (2) COMPARE SALARIES, (3) DETERMINE EMPLOYER PREFERENCE FOR EMPLOYEES WITH POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, AND (4) PROJECT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. OCCUPATIONAL TITLES WERE FORMULATED FROM THE LITERATURE, QUESTIONNAIRES DESIGNED AND TESTED, EMPLOYER LISTS COMPILED, QUESTIONNAIRES MAILED, NONRESPONDENTS CONTACTED, AND DATA ANALYZED. THE FINDINGS WERE BASED ON THE RESPONSES OF 79 HORTICULTURE AND 98 AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY EMPLOYERS. HORTICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WERE GREATEST IN RETAIL NURSERIES AND AT GOLF COURSES. SALARIES AVERAGED $86 PER WEEK, AND AN ESTIMATED 95 MORE WORKERS WOULD BE NEEDED WITHIN 5 YEARS. AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WERE GREATEST FOR MECHANICS, PARTS CLERKS, AND SALESMEN. SALARIES AVERAGED $100 PER WEEK, AND 448 ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES WOULD BE NEEDED WITHIN 5 YEARS. MOST HORTICULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY EMPLOYERS WOULD HIRE POSTSECONDARY GRADUATES AT HIGHER SALARIES. (JM)
- Published
- 1967