Economics of War Series: From Soldier to Contractor-Pay Gaps Explained

Join us for an engaging webinar that explores how human capital and specialization influence wages through the lens of military and private security careers. Participants will dive into real-world examples comparing soldiers and contractors in combat zones, using interactive web-quests and economic analysis to uncover the reasons behind wage disparities. We’ll walk through a ready-to-teach lesson plan that incorporates critical thinking, current events, career exploration, and economic standards—all aligned to state and national guidelines. During the session, you’ll experience key components of the lesson: Guided discussion prompts to spark classroom conversations on opportunity cost and trade-offs A web-based activity using the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook Real-world applications showing how supply, demand, and training shape salaries Why You Should Attend: Gain a fully developed, ready-to-use economics lesson rooted in career exploration and real-world scenarios. Enhance your students’ understanding of human capital and wage inequality using relevant, high-interest topics. Learn how to integrate economics standards into CTE, social studies, and work-based learning classrooms effectively.