About the NTEWS

The National Training, Education, and Workforce Survey (NTEWS) is a federal survey co-sponsored by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), within the National Science Foundation (NSF), and by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), within the U.S. Department of Education. The U.S. Census Bureau conducts the NTEWS data collection for NCSES and NCES. The NTEWS provides data on the educational and training characteristics of the nation's workforce, collecting data on the number and characteristics of individuals who have various education and work credentials, such as high school diplomas, college degrees, occupational certifications, and state licenses. The NTEWS has a particular focus on the Skilled Technical Workforce, the segment of the U.S. workforce that is highly skilled in science and engineering fields but does not have a bachelor's degree or higher.

The NTEWS is in a pilot phase. Survey methods including data collection and post-collection processing are being evaluated, and comprehensive quality measures are not available. The 2022 NTEWS Pilot data are designated as an experimental statistical product. National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) experimental statistical products are created to benefit users in the absence of other relevant information and are developed using innovative and exploratory methodologies. The NTEWS Pilot data are published to engage data users and other stakeholders in the survey’s development to improve quality for future iterations of the survey. Experimental statistical products may not meet some of NCES’ quality standards and, as a result, users should assess the utility limitations of these experimental statistics relative to the intended use.

The estimates included in the NTEWS Pilot are not official statistics and should not be used to make official statements or inferences about characteristics of the population or economy.

Study population, sample size, and population size

The study population is individuals ages 16 through 75 who are not currently in high school at the time of their NTEWS interview, individuals who reside in the United States or Puerto Rico and are not institutionalized.

The nationally representative sample of approximately 43,200 individuals estimates to a population of 249.8 million individuals. The American Community Survey (ACS) serves as the sampling frame for the NTEWS.

Data collection and frequency

Initial data collection: April to October 2022

The data collection will occur every two years (biennial) as a rotating panel design. The first administration of NTEWS was in 2022; the second administration in 2024 will include both a re-survey of a sub-sample from the 2022 cohort and a new 2024 sample.

Mode and language

The mode is self-administered web or mail surveys or computer assisted telephone interview (CATI).

It is offered in English and Spanish.

Response rate

2022: forthcoming

Key variables

• Education background
• Field of degree for highest degree
• Credential type (certificate, license, and certification)
• Training or work experience
• Employment status
• Occupation
• Demographics (e.g., age, race, sex, ethnicity, citizenship, and disability status)

Additional survey description

Additional description of the survey design, data collection, data processing, survey quality measures, data comparability, and data products can be located on the NCSES NTEWS website.