Survey: U.S. Workers Behind in Global Marketplace

March 26, 2007 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Just over half the adult workers in a recent survey rate the U.S. as being unprepared to compete equally in a global economy while three-quarters assert the U.S. is falling down on the job in providing the necessary training to change that.

A news release from job placement and human resources consultant Adeco said its Workplace Insights poll found that 56% feared the U.S. was globally uncompetitive and 76% complained that the country needed to invest more in training and development to allow the workforce to better stay up with workers from other nations.

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The press release said other survey findings included that:

  • Nearly two-thirds of employed adults (64%) agree that the U.S. educational system is not properly training workers for the jobs of the future.
  • 9 in ten employed adults (92%) agree that strengthening the education system should be a top priority for the U.S. in the next decade.
  • Older adults (ages 55+) are significantly more likely than younger adults (ages 18-34) to agree that America is not prepared to compete in a global economy (59% vs. 48% respectively).

The survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of Adecco NA between February 12 and February 14, 2007 among 3,434 U.S. adults 18 years of age or older.

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