Trends and Issues of Economics and Workforce Development

Between 2009 and 2012 the author completed coursework for a Doctorate of Philosophy in Occupational and Technical Studies (STEMPS), with a concentration on Training and Development in Human Resources. The Ph.D. coursework and research was conducted and completed at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.

One of the mandatory program courses was Trends and Issues of Economics and Workforce Development and was completed in the Fall of 2010. The course required completion of several segments of research, analysis, interviews, surveys, and application of findings to a report that provided suggested curriculum development and workforce training based on the findings and literature reviews.

This book provides the student's examples of coursework completed per the mandated project work, and conclusions based on the research and analysis work during this class. The book can be used as a model guideline to completing similar project in this class for future students, or as a baseline model upon which to complete workforce development research focused within a specific geographic area.