A wide range of people make use of labour market information for many
reasons.
Businesses use LMI to plan for a future that includes overseas trade
by choosing new markets or moving production out of the country.
Industries use LMI to project occupational needs and plan where
to recruit the best candidates for their jobs.
Statisticians and economists use it to monitor the state of the
economy, industry, occupations and even social trends.
Governments use it to form new employment or economic policies.
Educational institutions use LMI in their career guidance and to
make quotas for programs or to start new programs.
Members of the labour force (or potential members, such as students)
use LMI to help with career planning and decision making.
Labour Market Information (LMI)
LMI is information concerning conditions in, or the operation
of, the labour market. This information may be statistical or
narrative. It may relate to historical, current or projected circumstances.
Particular types of labour market information include data on
employment and unemployment, job vacancies, qualifications, compensation,
working conditions, etc. (Herr, nd., p. 2).
This chapter surveys LMI that is useful in a job search or in career
decision making, including national, regional and local LMI sources.
A. Using LMI in Career and Employment
Counselling
Trends in LMI Use for Career Development
Certificate programs for career practitioner training now
include LMI courses.
Career education in elementary and secondary schools introduces
students to LMI.
LMI is being written in simpler language for people other
than economists to use.
Resources are multiplying and more information is available,
especially on the Internet, for practitioners, teachers, the
public, and students.
Clients are demanding detailed LMI from practitioners.
