Technical Information:      (202) 691-5700              USDL 00-35

Media Contact:              (202) 691-5902              For release: 10 A.M. EST
                                                        February 7, 2000 
Internet:  http://stats.bls.gov/ocohome.htm



2000-01 EDITION OF THE OCCUPATIONAL OUTLOOK HANDBOOK PUBLISHED

     The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, has been the Federal Government's premier
career guidance publication for more than 50 years.  The Handbook provides 
comprehensive, up-to-date, and reliable labor market information that has 
helped millions of Americans plan their future work lives.  The 2000-01 edition
of the Handbook will help guide workers into the new century, presenting 
essential information about prospective changes in the workplace and the 
qualifications that will be needed by tomorrow's workforce.

     The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides detailed information on over 
250 occupations.  The Handbook discusses the nature of the work and the
typicalworking conditions for persons in each occupation.  In addition, it
gives details on the requirements for entry and the opportunities for
advancement.  This information may be helpful in making career decisions that
utilize one's education and training.  Each occupational statement discusses
projected job growth relative to the entire economy over the next decade and,
in some cases, the ease or difficulty of finding a job.  Users also will find
current information on earnings, employment of salaried and self-employed
workers, related occupations, and sources of additional information.  Each
statement begins with a section on significant points that highlights key
occupational characteristics.  

     Various factors affect the need for specific occupations.  A growing,
aging, and increasingly diverse population will demand a changing mix of goods
and services.  The skills of the workforce needed to fulfill these demands will
likewise continue to change, as employers incorporate technological innovations
and revise business practices to optimize their efficiency.  

     Total employment is expected to increase by 20.3 million jobs over the
1998-2008 period, a 14 percent increase.  Occupations that require more
education and training generally are projected to grow the fastest.  Table 1
lists the 30 fastest growing occupations; most require an associate or higher
degree, and computer and health occupations comprise 2 out of 3.  The largest
occupations generally generate the most new jobs.  Table 2 lists the 30
occupations with the largest projected job growth.  Sixteen of these
occupations are among those requiring the least amount of training-short-term
on-the-job training-and account for over one-fourth of all new jobs expected to
be created between 1998 and 2008.

     Although the Occupational Outlook Handbook targets junior and senior high
school students, it also can assist college students and experienced workers,
including those seeking to change careers or re-enter the labor force.  All
successful workers need to make informed decisions and react quickly in an
economy impacted by global competition, technological innovation, and shifts in
occupational structure.  The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides information
that reflects the needs of the present as well as the future labor force.

     More detailed information on the 1998-2008 projections appears in five
articles in the November 1999 Monthly Labor Review.  A graphic presentation of
the highlights of the projections is featured in the Winter 1999-2000
Occupational Outlook Quarterly.  

Ordering Copies

     Copies of the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2000-01 Edition (Bulletin
2520) can be purchased from the BLS Publications Sales Center, P.O. Box 2145,
Chicago, IL 60690-2145, phone (312) 353-1880, or the Superintendent of
Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, phone (202)
512-1800.  The 2000-01 edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook with a soft
cover costs $49; a hard cover version costs $51.  Payment can be made by VISA,
MasterCard, GPO Account, or check or money order.  Make checks payable to the
Superintendent of Documents.

     The Monthly Labor Review is sold by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.  The Quarterly is sold by the
Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954.  The
Review costs $31 a year; single copies are $10.  The Quarterly costs $9.50 a
year; single copies are $4.00.  Make checks payable to the Superintendent of
Documents.  

     The Handbook is available on the Bureau's Office of Employment Projections
Internet site: http://stats.bls.gov/emphome.htm.  The Monthly Labor Review also
is accessible on the Internet: http://stats.bls.gov/opub/mlr/mlrhome.htm.

     Information from this release will be made available to sensory impaired
individuals upon request.  Voice phone:  202-606-5886, TDD Message Referral
Phone Number:  1-800-877-8339.


Table 1. Fastest growing occupations covered in the 2000-01 Occupational 
Outlook Handbook, 1998-2008
(Numbers in thousands of jobs)

                          Employment change,
          Occupation          1998-2008     Most significant source of training
                            Number Percent   
Computer engineers            323    108    Bachelor's degree
Computer support specialists  439    102    Associate degree
Systems analysts              577     94    Bachelor's degree
Database administrators        67     77    Bachelor's degree
Desktop publishing specialists 19     73    Long-term on-the-job training
Paralegals and legal
  assistants                   84     62    Associate degree
Medical assistants            146     58    Moderate-term on-the-job training
Personal care and home health
  aides                       433     58    Short-term on-the-job training
Social and human service
  assistants                  141     53    Moderate-term on-the-job training
Physician assistants           32     48    Bachelor's degree
Data processing equipment
  repairers                    37     47    Postsecondary vocational training
Residential counselors         88     46    Bachelor's degree
Electronic semiconductor
  processors                   29     45    Moderate-term on-the-job training
Engineering, natural science,
  and computer and information
  systems managers            142     44    Work experience, plus degree
Physical therapy assistants
  and aides                    36     44    Associate degree
Medical records and health
  information technicians      41     44    Associate degree
Respiratory therapists         37     43    Associate degree
Surgical technologists         23     42    Postsecondary vocational training
Dental assistants              97     42    Moderate-term on-the-job training
Securities, commodities, and
  financial services sales
  agents                      124     41    Bachelor's degree
Dental hygienists              58     41    Associate degree
Occupational therapy
  assistants and aides          7     40    Associate degree
Speech-language pathologists
  and audiologists             40     39    Master's degree
Cardiovascular technologists
  and technicians               8     39    Associate degree
Correctional officers         148     39    Long-term on-the-job training
Social workers                218     36    Bachelor's degree
Biological scientists          28     35    Doctor's degree
Ambulance drivers and
  attendants, except EMTs       7     35    Short-term on-the-job training
Bill and account collectors   110     35    Short-term on-the-job training
Physical therapists            41     34    Master's degree

Table 2. Occupations covered in the 2000-01 Occupational Outlook Handbook with
the largest projected job growth, 1998-2008			
(Numbers in thousands of jobs)			
                                                               
                      Employment change,       
       Occupation         1998-2008     Most significant source of training
                        Number Percent                           
Systems analysts          577    94     Bachelor's degree
Retail salespersons       563    14     Short-term on-the-job training
Cashiers                  556    17     Short-term on-the-job training
General managers and top
  executives              551    16     Work experience, plus degree
Truck drivers light and
  heavy                   493    17     Short-term on-the-job training
Office clerks, general    463    15     Short-term on-the-job training
Registered nurses         451    22     Associate degree
Computer support
  specialists             439   102     Associate degree
Personal care and home
  health aides            433    58     Short-term on-the-job training
Teacher assistants        375    32     Short-term on-the-job training
Janitors and cleaners,
  including maids and
  housekeeping cleaners   365    12     Short-term on-the-job training
Nursing aides, orderlies,
  and attendants          325    24     Short-term on-the-job training
Computer engineers        323   108     Bachelor's degree
Teachers, secondary
  school                  322    23     Bachelor's degree
Office and administrative
  support supervisors and
  managers                313    19     Work experience in a related occupation
Receptionists and
 information clerks       305    24     Short-term on-the-job training
Waiters and waitresses    303    15     Short-term on-the-job training
Guards                    294    29     Short-term on-the-job training
Marketing and sales worker
  supervisors             263    10     Work experience in a related occupation
Food counter, fountain,
  and related workers     247    12     Short-term on-the-job training
Child care workers        236    26     Short-term on-the-job training
Laborers, landscaping and
  groundskeeping          234    21     Short-term on-the-job training
Social workers            218    36     Bachelor's degree
Hand packers and
  packagers               213    22     Short-term on-the-job training
Teachers, elementary
  school                  205    12     Bachelor's degree
Blue-collar worker
  supervisors             196     9     Work experience in a related occupation
College and university
  faculty                 195    23     Doctor's degree
Computer programmers      191    30     Bachelor's degree
Adjustment clerks         163    34     Short-term on-the-job training
Correctional officers     148    39     Long-term on-the-job training