Some supports should be targeted to the most needy or to particular populations, and some supports are more cost effective when applied in certain types of congregate settings. However, rules can be irrelevant either to accountability or quality of service provision, and sometimes serve only to make life difficult for providers and customers alike. Such matching requires assessment of both the characteristics of individuals and the available employment or volunteer opportunities. Included in these functions are information acquisition, analysis, and display of the results to individuals and matching agencies. Pro-active development of all individuals.
Society uses schooling to prepare young people for the world of work and culture.
The intent is to produce engaged citizens who are self-sufficient and who contribute to their communities. Persons with disabilities, the elderly, those receiving public assistance, those currently unemployed because of industry restructuring, and the working poor are all productive community members. However, they may be working below their potential in a tight labor market where good workers are scarce. In a workplace where advanced training is complementary with new technology and higher incomes, society will benefit from making a large investment in its human capital, as well as in its physical capital and infrastructure. A barrier common to increasing self-sufficiency is the cost and supply of information necessary to match employment, volunteer, or socialization opportunities to an individual's skills and preferences.