International Labour Office
Published: 1991
Total Pages: 70
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The first part of this report examines the relationship of technological change to employment and work. After a brief introduction, chapter 1 discusses new technology and labor productivity versus employment, emphasizing the effects of labor-saving machinery and changes in specific sectors of employment, such as electrical machinery, communications services, financial services, printing and publishing, and textiles and clothing. Chapter 2 looks at the effects of technological change on occupational structure and skills. Chapter 3 concerns coping with the effects of technological change on employment. The second part of the report looks at training for new technology. After an introduction, chapter 4 examines the issues involved in training under conditions of change and uncertainty. Chapter 5 discusses apprenticeship, project work, and "sandwich" courses that combine school-based programs with hands-on training. Chapter 6 gives a brief overview of four in-house training programs at Avionics, Corning Glass, Motorola, and Siemens. Chapter 7 gives an overview of technology training institutions that provide similar services for small and medium-sized companies in Switzerland, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Chapter 8 summarizes the issues involved in technological change and employment and discusses special consideration with respect to Eastern Europe. Several points for further discussion are offered. (CML)