Workers Express Confidence in Future of Their Jobs
KANSAS CITY (BUSINESS WIRE), July 6, 2008 - The Spherion(R) Employee Confidence Index dropped 0.8 points to 46.1 in June, showing a record-low level in 2008.
The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive(R) on behalf of Spherion Corporation, reveals no movement in macroeconomic confidence with only 12 percent of workers saying they believe there are more jobs available and seven percent reporting the economy is getting stronger.
Personal confidence dipped slightly in June with 63 percent of workers reporting confidence in the future of their current employer and 49 percent reporting confidence in their ability to find a new job. Although these numbers still reflect a majority of workers, both indicators decreased by one and two percentage points, respectively.
Interestingly, job security has increased slightly with 76 percent of workers saying they are unlikely to lose their job in the next year and 34 percent indicating that they are not likely to look for a job in the next 12 months, a decrease of one percentage point.
"Like many other national confidence indicators are showing, the confidence level among American workers has declined once again," said Roy Krause, president and CEO of Spherion Corporation. While this drop in overall confidence is to be expected in times of economic uncertainty, workers should take note that even though the economy is shedding jobs overall, certain sectors continue to create jobs. Opportunities still exist today and job seekers must remain diligent in their search."
Krause continued, "At the same time, employers must also understand that even though they are seeing a down job market, today's emergent workers are not going to simply stay in their existing jobs if they believe they can do better elsewhere or jump at any opportunity presented to them.
Our studies indicate that the workforce as a whole continues to be quite confident, change-ready and demanding. This especially applies to the most skilled and talented workers who continue to have their choice of jobs. The most innovative and progressive employers remain focused on establishing themselves as an employer of choice by attracting, developing and retaining top talent. Those who choose to 'take their foot off of the gas,' even in these times, may severely hamper their ability to win the battle for talent now and in the future."
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$49.5 Million to Improve Education and Career Opportunities for High School Students
KANSAS CITY (kansascityfrontpage.com), July 6, 2008 - The U.S. Department of Labor has announced awards totaling $49.5 million to nine high schools to enhance education and career opportunities. Philadelphia-area schools dominated the competition restricted to schools with high levels of violence, winning seven of the nine awards.
"These nearly $50 million in grants are targeted at giving young people more educational and employment opportunities and mentoring that could make a positive difference in their lives," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.
Six large Philadelphia high schools - Overbrook, Germantown, University City, Lincoln, West Philadelphia and Bartram - won awards of $6,423,139 each. A seventh, Fitzsimons, was selected from among the small high school category and will receive $3,651,512.
Two other awards for small high schools went to the city of Baltimore's W.E. B. DuBois High School and to New York State's Berkshire Union Free School District. Each won $3,651,512.
Projects will enlist community-based organizations in providing mentoring services to students. The goals are to decrease dropout rates, reduce school violence, and improve overall student behavior and performance.
Schools receiving funding will implement programs that expand educational and employment opportunities. Through partnerships with the private sector in their regions, schools will place students in paid internships that provide participants with on-the-job experience.
The awards close a competition that was limited, by statute, to schools that have identified themselves with the U.S. Department of Education as having persistently high levels of violence. Among those eligible to apply for this program were schools within the following districts: Baltimore City, Md.; Berkshire Farms, N.Y.; New York City, N.Y.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Puerto Rico; and Salem-Keizer, Ore.
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Partnership with Central Bank Seeks to Generate Jobs and Economic Development
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