About the Workforce Information System
The Workforce Information System includes several types of information about the labor market:
Labor Market Conditions data provide information on the overall structure and condition of the labor market, including its demographic composition, trends in employment and unemployment, labor turnover information, and information on labor force dynamics - the movement of people into and out of the labor force.
Industry Data organize employment, wages, and other information by the type of production processes used. Industry data also include information on job creation and destruction and the life cycle of business establishments.
Occupational Data organize employment, wages, and other information by the type of work performed, and identify the skill requirements and other occupational characteristics of workers and jobs.
Labor Market Projections examine labor force, industry, and occupational trends, and provide a picture of future employment and job openings based on assumptions about economic growth.
Business Establishment Lists provide information about individual business establishments, such as name and address, industry, employment, and payroll. These lists also provide the sampling universe for business surveys.
Labor Market Dynamics information examines the flows of workers into and out of employment, and the creation, expansion, contraction, and disappearance of businesses, and factors related to these dynamic changes.
Current Job Vacancies information identifies job openings for which employers are actively seeking workers.
Data on Individuals include information on the employment, earnings, and other items for individual workers, information on individual job seekers contained in resume or applicant files, as well as program information on individuals in workforce training or other programs.
Education and Training Resources information identifies education and training institutions,
programs and courses, information on access to and the quality of these training sources,
and information on financial assistance.
The customers of the workforce information system are individuals and organizations who need information about the labor market for making many different kinds of decisions.
Workforce Information Providers
The nationwide labor market and workforce information system is made available by the combined efforts of the U.S. Department of Labor and the state employment statistics agencies. Many of the workforce information resources available on the Internet can be accessed through the Workforce Information Portal.
In the Department of Labor, the major responsibility for workforce information rests with the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Employment and Training Administration.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, as the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics, provides a wide range of data on employment and unemployment, industry and occupation trends, wages and compensation, and other data. BLS gathers much of its data through the Federal -State Cooperative Statistics programs, operated in cooperation with the state employment statistics agencies.
The Employment and Training Administration administers an extensive array of workforce development programs that provide training for adults and youth, unemployment insurance, labor exchange services, and services for special populations. ETA funds States for core employment statistics products and improvements. ETA also is responsible for O*NET, providing a very detailed database on the characteristics of jobs and workers, and assessment tools for job seekers and counselors.
State Employment Statistics Agencies carry out the data collection in the BLS Cooperative programs, conduct analysis and research on State and local labor market issues, and provide State and local information to their customers through publications, web sites, user training, and other means.
The U.S. Census Bureau collects a variety of population and economic data, and conducts the Current Population Survey for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to provide key labor force data.
The LMI Institute provides staff development and training to state employment statistics agencies, and education resources to workforce information system customers.
Other federal statistical agencies, listed in FedStats, provide data on a variety of topics, including the economy, human resources, and education and training.