With the increase in immigration and the debate on how to successfully integrate new citizens into American life, a good research topic idea is to study the trends on immigration, technical education and the effects on the American workforce. Interview immigrants of diverse backgrounds who benefited from a technical education and talk about their experiences in finding work. Also interview working immigrants and mention their experiences in the workforce.
You could research the ways in which the 1996 welfare reform law worked for former welfare recipients and ways it didn't work. Interview community college presidents, business owners, former welfare recipients and community activists on the effects that a technical education has had on the transition from welfare dependency to stable employment. Point out ways in which better policies could improve the lives of former welfare recipients.
Talk about changes in the job market over the past 10 years and discuss what new industries have arisen out of these changes. For example, if your research shows an increase in computer science jobs, examine whether your city's technical schools are keeping up with this increase by adequately training students for this field. If you're writing about the technological advances that affect the auto repair industry, discuss what industry experts are saying regarding how future workers should prepare themselves.