July payrolls show hiring steady with 187K jobs added | Applied learning: An argument for apprentices | Manufacturing, warehousing firms cut hours instead of staff
July payrolls show hiring steady with 187K jobs added The economy witnessed a steady pace of hiring in July with 187,000 jobs added, only slightly higher than June's figure but slower than last year's average monthly gain, according to the Labor Department. The unemployment rate declined to 3.5% and wages continued to grow, indicating a better balance in the labor market. Full Story: The Wall Street Journal (8/4),CNBC (8/4)
Industries facing talent shortages should turn to the tried and true education alternative of apprenticeships, writes Jane Oates, president of WorkingNation. A reallocation of resources is one challenge that applied learning faces, as is a clearer definition of the work-based learning model. Full Story: Fast Company (tiered subscription model) (8/4)
Exercise plans should evolve along with age, lifestyle Experts say fitness regimens for adults over 40 should be tailored for their age group to help prevent injury and pain while reducing muscle mass loss, bone mineral density decline and changes in the body's ability to convert oxygen into energy. Adults can get professional advice to take stock of their strength, mobility, stability and cardiorespiratory fitness and figure out an appropriate workout plan. Full Story: The New York Times (8/1)
Benefits & Compensation
Surveys show Americans' retirement readiness fears Twenty-nine percent of respondents under the age of 55 who took part in an Ipsos and Axios survey said they didn't think they would ever be able to retire, with most of those individuals saying they couldn't afford to, and a smaller percentage saying they did not want to. Other recent surveys found that a third of employees expect to stop working at age 70 or older or not at all, and 40% of Generation X employees as well as nearly half of baby boomers think they will retire past age 70 or not at all. Survey authors found these trends appear to be on the rise. Full Story: The Hill (8/4)
New-to-the-workforce employees who lack basic workplace and communication skills can be coached to get where you need them, experts say. Even if it doesn't look like it, many Generation Z workers are looking for "supportive leadership and positive relationships," according to a RainmakerThinking survey, and business coaches offer several suggestions. Full Story: SmartBrief/Leadership (8/4)
