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Today, information and data on skills development come mainly from household and employees surveys: trends in the labour market, demand and supply of skills, data on skill mismatch and skills obsolescence. Recurrent analysis of individual cross-sectional data and their extrapolation into the future indicates significant structural changes over time. Despite the critical nature of such structural data, they do not allow one to understand fully the complexity of changing skill requirements and developments in occupations at the workplace. Therefore, Cedefop, with financial support from the European Commission has taken a step forward by developing a European employer survey on skill needs. Cedefop worked, in close cooperation with experts, to develop and evaluate innovative approaches for measuring skill needs from the employers' point of view. The pilot survey focuses on testing questions on the importance of generic skill requirements and specific working tasks, as well as relevant changes in defined occupations. It also collected information on drivers of change, such as innovation, and their impact on skill requirements at the workplace to broaden the perspective on future needs. The survey also piloted questions on staff preparedness to meet new requirements, and firms' policies to address this issue. This publication describes in brief the measurement concept and the survey methodology tested in the pilot survey to identify current and future skill needs as perceived by employers in Europe. It provides illustrative findings with some implications to be followed up in future work, as well as an assessment of the approach's practicability and options for moving to a large-scale employer survey on skill needs in Europe. A tabular annex provides the share of employment covered by the survey. [The publication is a result of development work under a contract between Cedefop and TNS Infratest Socialfoschung.]

This paper reports on research into the field of computer security, and undergraduate degrees offered in that field. Research described in the paper reveals only one computer security program at the associate's degree level in the entire country. That program, at Texas State Technical College in Waco, is a 71-credit-hour program leading to an Associate of Applied Science in Network Technology degree and focuses heavily on computer networks and operating systems, containing courses that prepare individuals for careers on corporate security teams. The majority of computer security and information security training is offered in master's and doctoral-level programs. The paper proposes Norwalk Community College (NCC) in Norwalk, Connecticut, develop a new degree program at NCC. It also details the process of developing the degree program, starting with advisory committee members' development of a knowledge and skills list for entry-level computer security professionals, identification of the components that could be taught in a formal program of study, and the packaging of knowledge and skills components into logical course delivery units. The paper argues for development of similar programs at other community colleges. (NB)

Does differential access to computer technology at home compound the educational disparities between rich and poor? Would a program of government provision of computers to early secondary school students reduce these disparities? The authors use administrative data on North Carolina public school students to corroborate earlier surveys that document broad racial and socioeconomic gaps in home computer access and use. Using within-student variation in home computer access, and across-ZIP code variation in the timing of the introduction of high-speed internet service, the authors demonstrate that the introduction of home computer technology is associated with modest but statistically significant and persistent negative impacts on student math and reading test scores. Further evidence suggests that providing universal access to home computers and high-speed internet access would broaden, rather than narrow, math and reading achievement gaps. Coefficients on Time-Invariant Student Covariates, Across-Student Specifications is appended. (Contains 8 tables, 3 figures, and 34 footnotes.)

Del Giacco Art Therapy is a cognitive art therapy process that focuses on stimulating the mental sensory systems and working to stabilize the nervous system and create new neural connections in the brain. This system was created by Maureen Del Giacco, Phd. after recovering from her own traumatic brain injury and is based on extensive research of neuro science concepts and observation of brain trauma victims and dementia patients and their recovery. Neuro-science has demonstrated that brain tissue is able to respond to damage or loss of neurons such as might happen in the event of a stroke, dementia or traumatic brain injury. Studies show that appropriate repetition of mental activities can stimulate the growth of new dendrites and refine some connections between neurons. If the "cell body" of the neuron is intact it can re-grow. If not nearby neurons can be "trained" to take over the role of the destroyed ones." (DAT course)

This study examines whether there are differences in men's and women's use of computers and the Internet in the United States and Japan and how any such gender gaps have changed over time. The authors focus on these two countries because information technology is widely used in both, but there are substantial differences in institutions and social organizations. They use microdata from several surveys during the 1997-2001 period to examine differences and trends in computer and Internet usage in the two countries. Their results indicate that there were significant gender differences in computer and Internet usage in both countries during the mid-1990s. By 2001, these gender differences had disappeared or were even reversed in the United States but remained in Japan. People not currently working have lower levels of IT use and skills in both countries regardless of gender, but working women in Japan have lower levels of IT use and skills than working men, a difference that generally does not occur in the United States. This finding suggests that employment status per se does not play a large role in the gender gap in Japan, but type of employment does. The prevalence of nonstandard employment among female workers in Japan accounts for much of the gender gap in IT use and skills in that country. (Contains 11 footnotes and 6 tables.)

The purpose of this study was to develop a body of labor market information to support the development of regional information technology instructional programs by a consortium of California Community Colleges located in the San Francisco Bay Region. This collection of summaries of six occupations begins with a guide that explains the components of each summary. Included are a job description; job titles; career ladder; hours worked; compensation (wages, benefits); employer requirements (education and vocational training, experience); supply and demand; growth; openings filled; location of jobs; and estimates of employment in each industry presented in the job location section. These occupations are included in the guide: computer-aided design technicians; computer and software support technicians; computer network technicians; computer support specialists; graphic designers; and Internet web site designers and developers (webmasters). Appendixes include the questionnaire; alternate job titles; and industries represented. (YLB)

Men's and women's quality of work in the new Canadian economy was examined. The two data sources used were the 2000 Changing Employment Relationships Survey (CERS), which consisted of telephone interviews of 2,500 currently employed Canadian residents aged 18 or older, and the 2000 General Social Survey (GSS), which examined access to and use of computer technologies in Canada and included telephone interviews of 25,090 Canadians aged 15 or older. Men and women expressed similar levels (70-75%) of desire for interesting work and a sense of accomplishment. Women and men with no postsecondary education placed greater priority on job security, pay, and benefits than did individuals with higher levels of educational attainment. Employees without a high school education--especially women--also placed a high value on communication and collegial relations in the workplace. Among university graduates, female employees were far more likely than males to place a high value on respect, commitment, communications, and workplace relations. Women accounted for 42% of high-intensity computer users and 52% of moderate-intensity users. The study showed striking changes in the labor market role of college-educated women but little change in the role of women with a high school education or less. (Twenty-five tables/figures/boxes are included. Fourteen tables are appended. The bibliography lists 75 references.) (MN)

Many economists and policymakers believe that the growth in inequality in the last 2 decades reflects mostly an imbalance between the demand for and the supply of employee skills driven by technological change, particularly the spread of computers. However, the empirical basis for this belief is not strong. The growth in inequality was concentrated in the recession years of the early 1980s and any imbalance between the supply of and demand for workers with technological skills likely did not occur until later. The growth of the supply of more-educated workers decelerated during the 1980s, any impact of which would not have been felt until the late 1980s and 1990s. However inequality actually stabilized then. On the demand side, trends in occupational composition do not suggest that upgrading was particularly rapid in the 1980s and 1990s compared to the 1970s. Computers do not seem to have greatly affected employment in a number of narrow occupations that are likely to be sensitive to technological change (e.g., computer programmers, bank tellers), but computer use itself does seem to be associated with more education, even controlling for occupation. But the causal status of this relationship is uncertain and the magnitude of the association seems too small to have seriously compromised the ability of supply to meet the implied growth in demand. Other possible causes of inequality growth, including macroeconomic forces and the decline of institutional protections for workers, should be considered. (Contains 52 references, 8 tables, and 13 figures.) (CML)

The authors examine racial and ethnic differences in computer ownership and Internet usage using data from a survey conducted by the Nomura Research Institute in 2000. They focus on on-line shopping because few studies have examined racial and ethnic differences in e-commerce. The results indicate that blacks and Hispanics are less likely to own or use a computer than are non-Hispanic whites but are not less likely to shop on-line. Indeed, blacks appear to shop on-line more frequently and to spend more than non-Hispanic whites do. (Determinants of Computer Ownership and Usage in August 2000 CPS; and Descriptive Statistics for Socioeconomic Characteristics in Nomura Data Set are appended. Contains 2 footnotes and 6 tables.)

This study examines the significant role of computers in the transformation of the Canadian employment structure. An executive summary appears in English and French. Following an introduction, Section 2 discusses how the role of computerization of the employment structure is viewed in the literature. Section 3 presents an overview of past developments in computer technology leading up to the contemporary microcomputer. Section 4 describes important trends (capital intensity and computer intensity) in the evolution of the Canadian industrial structure over the last few decades and proposes an industrial taxonomy on which to base analysis. Section 5 examines how these intensity trends affect different categories of employment: management, knowledge, data, service, and goods workers. Section 6 develops a methodology inspired from the production function framework of Berman, Bound, and Griliches (1993) and explains the data used. The remainder of the paper presents empirical results in these three sections. Section 7 deals with relative wages. Section 8 analyzes the capital/skill complementarity. Section 9 discusses the association of computers with different categories of workers. Section 10 includes a summary of the main findings, outlines some broad implications, and indicates avenues for further research. Appendixes contain descriptive statistics by industry in 1971 and 1991, and a 51-item bibliography. (YLB)

The recruitment and retention of Asian computer professionals by Canadian high-tech companies was examined by interviewing 8 Canadian-born information technology (IT) workers, 47 Asian-born IT workers, and 8 human resource (HR) professionals employed by high-tech companies in Ottawa. Of the 47 Asians, 33 stated that they did not know much about Canada before coming to Canada, and 41 did not experience any difficulties getting visas for themselves. Although the Canadian and non-Canadian IT workers had similar perceptions regarding workplace-related issues, 12 of the Asia workers complained of subtle discrimination at work. Twenty-nine Asian workers reported considering moving to the United States versus only two Canadian workers. All eight HR professionals spoke highly of the Asian IT professionals and their technical competence, although several expressed concerns about Asian workers' ability to communicate. Many Asian workers appeared to have misconceptions about tax rates, living costs, and employment opportunities in Canada and the United States. It was concluded that the Canadian government could help improve recruitment and retention of Asian IT workers in Canada by enabling them to bring their educated relatives from their homelands and by facilitating closer interaction and partnerships between educational institutions and the high-tech sector. (The bibliography lists 17 references. The interview guide and questionnaire are appended.) (MN)

This report highlights findings from the fourth National Survey of Working America conducted for the National Career Development Association. The survey gathered information through interviews with a national sample of 1,003 adults, 18 years of age or older, representing a total population of 185.2 million adults, in summer 1999. The study examined adults' attitudes and experiences related to work and the selection of a career or job, including the use of technology, particularly the Internet, for disseminating career and job information; the increased demand for training and certification; and the effects of globalization on individual careers. Key findings of the survey were the following: (1) a "career information digital divide" may be emerging, as more Americans use the Internet to find help in locating a job and people without computer skills and Internet access may be at a disadvantage in pursuing job and career opportunities; (2) adults in the U.S. express a need for career assistance; (3) job change is viewed by many as a positive experience; (4) adults appreciate the need for lifelong learning; and (5) adults are not clear on the effects of globalization on their job. (KC)

Despite the potential of technology, it is clear that the benefits of computers, multimedia and telecommunications technology are not as widespread in schools as could be hoped. To ensure that all students and teachers have access to technology, the issue of comprehensive, statewide implementation must be addressed. This cost model for implementing technology statewide was developed in order to push beyond the level of mere discussion and to make the vision of ubiquitous technology a reality. This cost model defines a vision of technology capability and access for schools and students, and then outlines the expenditure required in New York state to fully implement the vision. The intent of this document is not to derive the exact cost for technology implementation, but rather to serve as a starting point for discussion. The three-stage cost model in this paper can give everyone--including local, state, and federal organizations--the ability to define the order of magnitude of cost involved in implementing statewide technology, and provides a firmer basis for discussing priorities and strategies for obtaining support from local, regional, state, and federal representatives. The cost model is built on the following sets of key assumptions, all of which are discussed in detail: educational assumptions, deployment/implementation assumptions, technology assumptions, and fiscal assumptions. Technology cost assumptions include workstation costs, network infrastructure costs, and salary, staff development, and equipment maintenance costs. The appendix provides the detailed cost components for each stage of the model, and includes copies of the spreadsheets used to calculate all costs. (MAS)

Our society is witnessing an ever-increasing sophistication in the development and use of computer and associated telecommunications technologies. Archivists are no longer faced with preserving relatively simply numeric files, but with maintaining a vast array of electronic information holdings ranging from complex databases to compound electronic documents composed of text, images, sound, graphics, and data. Although information in electronic form may offer several research advantages over paper records, archivists find preservation of and access to electronic records problematic for a variety of reasons: (1) electronic information is system dependent; (2) electronic information resides on fragile storage media; and (3) electronic information can be easily erased or changed. Archivists have devised several approaches to ensure the preservation of information in electronic form. These are: (1) archival involvement with information systems at their inception or design stage to ensure the availability of historically valuable electronic information; (2) the development and use of standards to ensure the transfer of data across fragile media and constantly changing technological environments; and (3) the development of interdisciplinary projects to test possible solutions that build upon others' expertise. Recommendations for five categories of activities to be supported during the coming years conclude this report. (11 references) (MAB)