Training migrant and seasonal farmworkers for energy-related occupations

Technical Report · Tue Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:5080189

Weseman, M

The US Department of Energy (DOE) and US Department of Labor (DOL) have cosponsored a number of demonstration programs to train economically disadvantaged migrant and seasonal farmworkers for energy-related technical and skilled occupations. This descriptive study examines the first DOE/DOL demonstration to determine the impact of training on participants' subsequent labor-force activity and the effectiveness of the program in meeting the needs of this target group. Analysis of participants' employment and wage rates before and after training indicates favorable outcomes as wages and the number employed increased significantly. All selected subgroups experienced substantial employment-status gains with women reporting the largest increases. Post-training wages of all subgroups were approximately double those before training with women, nonwhites, and high-school graduates reporting the largest increases. Data on farmworkers were compared to those of other clients enrolled in the same program under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA), and a national sample of CETA participants enrolled in vocational-training programs. In general, the farmworkers reported employment-status gains similar to the national CETA sample but lower than the other CETA participants enrolled in the same program. The farmworkers' wage gains were significantly greater than those reported by the two comparison groups. Apparent key factors contributing to the success of the program include the farmworkers' desire to leave agricultural labor, their willingness to relocate to accept employment, the existing network of employers developed by the training program, and the program's ability to provide needed supportive services.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Inc., TN (USA). Manpower Education, Research and Training Div.
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76OR00033
• OSTI ID: 5080189
• Report Number(s): ORAU-170
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
EDUCATION
DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS
LOW INCOME GROUPS
MANPOWER
MINORITY GROUPS
AGRICULTURE
EMPLOYMENT
FARMS
LABOR
WAGES
INDUSTRY
320900* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Education & Public Relations- (1980-)
290200 - Energy Planning & Policy- Economics & Sociology