research

research Sec. 311. (a) To assist, the Nation in expanding work opportunities and assuring access to those opportunities for all who desire it, the Secretary shall establish a comprehensive program of manpower research utilizing the methods, techniques, and knowledge of the behavioral and social sciences and such other methods, techniques, and knowledge as will aid in the solution of the Nation’s manpower problems, This program will include, but not be limited to, studies, the findings of which may contribute to the formulation of manpower policy: development or improvement of manpower programs; increased 87 Stat. 861knowledge about labor market processes: reduction of unemployment and its relationships to price stability; promotion of more effective manpower development, training, and utilization; improved national, regional, and local means of measuring future labor demand and sup-ply; enhancement of job opportunities; skill training to qualify employees for positions of greater skill, responsibility, and remuneration; meeting of manpower shortages; easing of the transition from school to work, from one job to another, and from work to retirement, opportunities and services for older persons who desire to enter or reenter the labor force, and for improvements of opportunities for employment and advancement through the reduction of discrimination and disadvantage arising from poverty, ignorance, or prejudice. (b) The Secretary shall establish a program of experimental, developmental, demonstration, and pilot projects, through grants to or contracts with public or private non-profit organizations, or through contracts with other private organizations, for the purpose of improving techniques and demonstrating the effectiveness of specialized methods in meeting the manpower, employment, and training problems, however, nothing in this subsection shall authorize the Secretary to carry out employment programs experimenting with subsidized wages in the private sector or with wages less than those established by the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1988, as amended, for employment subject to that Act. In carrying out this subsection with respect to programs designed to provide employment and training opportunities for low-income people, the Secretary shall consult with such other agencies as may be appropriate. Where programs under this section require institutional training, appropriate arrangements for such training shall be agreed to by the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. (c) The Secretary is authorized to conduct, either directly or by way of contract, grant, or other arrangement, a thorough evaluation of all programs and activities conducted pursuant to this Act to deter-mine the effectiveness of such programs and activities in meeting the special needs of disadvantaged, chronically unemployed, and low-income persons for meaningful employment opportunities and supportive services to continue or resume their education and employment and to become more responsible and productive citizens. (d) The Secretary shall conduct such research and investigations as give promise of furthering the objectives of this Act either directly or through grants, contracts, or other arrangements.