Chapter 4. A Labor Force that Learns

Sixty-five years ago only about one in twenty Americans ages 25 or older was a college graduate.  Many jobs required no more than basic literacy and physical skills largely learned through experience.  The change in the educational attainment of the labor force since the 1940s has been dramatic.

The 21st century labor market seeks and rewards workers who can offer the educational foundation, technical skills and creative flexibility employers need to compete and adapt to changing needs successfully.  Higher educational attainment contributes to a worker’s ability to efficiently absorb new knowledge and to learn new skills.  Workers who can quickly move up the learning curve of a new job have a competitive advantage for economic success.

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