Brookings: Experts - Harry J. Holzer

The Future of Middle-Skill Jobs

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Harry J. Holzer and Robert I. Lerman analyze the likely trends in supply and demand for workers with different levels of education and training over the next decade and beyond. They present data on the current distributions of jobs and wages, and how these distributions have evolved in the recent past, and also review projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on future demand by occupation.

Living Wage Laws: How Much Do (Can) They Matter?

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Harry Holzer examines the likely effects of “living wage” ordinances on employment outcomes, according to economic theory; as well as evidence on their actual effects.

Encouraging Job Advancement Among Low-Wage Workers: A New Approach

Sat, 01 May 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Harry J. Holzer points out that while their employment rates have risen considerably, most former welfare recipients continue to earn very low wages. Similarly, the earnings of less-educated U.S. workers more broadly have also stagnated or fallen in recent years. Using a new dataset from the Census Bureau, some recent research suggests that low earners’ advancement prospects are closely tied to the characteristics of the employers for whom they work.

Can Work Experience Programs Work for Welfare Recipients?

Sat, 02 Nov 2002 00:00:00 GMT

The studies reviewed by Harry Holzer suggest that carefully structured work experience programs can have a positive impact on the employment rates of disadvantaged groups and can generate socially valued goods and services. When poorly designed, they can be wasteful and have small net impacts on employment and output.

Left Behind in the Labor Market: Recent Employment Trends Among Young Black Men

Tue, 02 Apr 2002 00:00:00 GMT

With record numbers of low-income, single mothers having left welfare and joined the workforce over the past several years, many policymakers involved in the welfare reauthorization debate are focusing on strategies to promote the formation of two-pa