Message from the Secretary

In both prosperous and challenging times, the mission of the U.S. Department of Labor remains the same: to help Americans pursue safe, successful, and satisfying careers. In doing so, we also are strengthening America's 21st Century Workforce, which is the key to our Nation's future economic growth and vitality.

Workers need comprehensive, accessible, and reliable information on the labor market in order to adapt to changes in our economy. Providing such valuable information is part of the Department of Labor's responsibility to workers. As technologies advance, markets become more globally oriented, and business organizations change, job seekers need new skills to find and hold good jobs.

To help workers succeed in an economy that is continuously changing, we offer the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Government's premier career guidance publication. This Handbook provides vital information on job trends in a wide range of occupations, and the skills and qualifications that will be needed by workers in the future.

We hope the Handbook will be of value to all American workers.

ELAINE L. CHAO
Secretary of Labor