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OPA Press Release: 2000-01 Edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook Published [02/07/00]

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, has been the Federal Government's premier career guidance publication for more than 50 years. The Handbook provides comprehensive, up-to-date, and reliable labor market information that has helped millions of Americans plan their future work lives. The 2000-01 edition of the Handbook will help guide workers into the new century, presenting essential information about prospective changes in the workplace and the qualifications that will be needed by tomorrow's workforce.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides detailed information on over 250 occupations. The Handbook discusses the nature of the work and the typical working conditions for persons in each occupation. In addition, it gives details on the requirements for entry and the opportunities for advancement. This information may be helpful in making career decisions that utilize one's education and training. Each occupational statement discusses projected job growth relative to the entire economy over the next decade and, in some cases, the ease or difficulty of finding a job. Users also will find current information on earnings, employment of salaried and self-employed workers, related occupations, and sources of additional information. Each statement begins with a section on significant points that highlights key occupational characteristics.

Various factors affect the need for specific occupations. A growing, aging, and increasingly diverse population will demand a changing mix of goods and services. The skills of the workforce needed to fulfill these demands will likewise continue to change, as employers incorporate technological innovations and revise business practices to optimize their efficiency.

Total employment is expected to increase by 20.3 million jobs over the 1998-2008 period, a 14 percent increase. Occupations that require more education and training generally are projected to grow the fastest. Table 1 lists the 30 fastest growing occupations; most require an associate or higher degree, and computer and health occupations comprise 2 out of 3. The largest occupations generally generate the most new jobs. Table 2 lists the 30 occupations with the largest projected job growth. Sixteen of these occupations are among those requiring the least amount of training-short-term on-the-job training-and account for over one-fourth of all new jobs expected to be created between 1998 and 2008.

Although the Occupational Outlook Handbook targets junior and senior high school students, it also can assist college students and experienced workers, including those seeking to change careers or re-enter the labor force. All successful workers need to make informed decisions and react quickly in an economy impacted by global competition, technological innovation, and shifts in occupational structure. The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides information that reflects the needs of the present as well as the future labor force.

More detailed information on the 1998-2008 projections appears in five articles in the November 1999 Monthly Labor Review. A graphic presentation of the highlights of the projections is featured in the Winter 1999-2000 Occupational Outlook Quarterly.

Ordering Copies

Copies of the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2000-01 Edition (Bulletin 2520) can be purchased from the BLS Publications Sales Center, P.O. Box 2145, Chicago, IL 60690-2145, phone (312) 353-1880, or the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, phone (202) 512-1800. The 2000-01 edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook with a soft cover costs $49; a hard cover version costs $51. Payment can be made by VISA, MasterCard, GPO Account, or check or money order. Make checks payable to the Superintendent of Documents.

The Monthly Labor Review is sold by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The Quarterly is sold by the Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The Review costs $31 a year; single copies are $10. The Quarterly costs $9.50 a year; single copies are $4.00. Make checks payable to the Superintendent of Documents.

The Handbook is available on the Bureau's Office of Employment Projections Internet site: http://stats.bls.gov/emphome.htm. The Monthly Labor Review also is accessible on the Internet: http://stats.bls.gov/opub/mlr/mlrhome.htm.

Information from this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-606-5886, TDD Message Referral Phone Number: 1-800-877-8339.

• Table 1. Fastest growing occupations covered in the 2000-01 Occupational Outlook Handbook, 1998-2008
  
• Table 2. Occupations covered in the 2000-01 Occupational Outlook Handbook with the largest projected job growth, 1998-2008
  
  
• Text version of entire news release