Education Policy Commons^™

The Next Generation Of Labor In Rural, Resource-Rich Places: Forestry Needs And Youth Aspirations, Nicole R. Bernsen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A combination of youth out-migration and lack of in-migration have led to an aging workforce and population decline in resource-dependent communities, while simultaneously declines in pulp and paper demand and biomass utilization have had negative impacts on the perceived future of the once-dominant forest products industry. These changes may increase uncertainty as to the availability and training of the next generation of workers and rural community residents. While many studies have explored the effects that these changes have on adult populations, little attention has been paid to how local labor markets and perceptions of future opportunities influence the next generation …