Discusses how companies can prepare for the changes mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against qualified, disabled job applicants and employees. Steps mentioned include (1) learn about the ADA; (2) find out what similar organizations are doing; (3) identify affected employees; and (4) develop a…

The following trends facing the world of work have implications for human resource development: (1) the nature of work is changing, (2) the pace of change is accelerating, (3) the Web is a structural model of team rather than pyramid organization, (4) the bargaining power of the work force is rising, and (5) value exchanges are direct. (JOW)

Examines the marketing influences (robust economy, low unemployment, young employees, changes in work arrangements) that are converging to create the recruiting and retention challenges that companies face. Offers suggestions such as marketing a business as a brand and seeking continuous feedback from employees. (JOW)

Offers specific strategies and ideas on how human resource professionals can collaborate effectively with line management. Includes examples of how it was done at several companies. (JOW)

A leader in human resource development reminisces about the people, places, and programs that made the field what it is today. (JOW)

Robert B. Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor, and Daniel Goleman, researcher and author, debate the pros and cons of trends revealed by American Society for Training and Development's 1999 State of the Industry Report. (Author/JOW)

Companies are competing for an ever-smaller share of the labor pool and are finding that offering training gives them a competitive advantage in recruiting and retaining employees. Both technical and interpersonal skills training is in demand. (JOW)

Announces the decision of the first year the committee of the National Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award has accepted applications from the education and health care fields. Details how companies and associations are working with educational institutions to produce a more literate, technologically skilled work force. (JOW)

Laborers' International Union and Associated General Contractors' Education and Training Fund has two strands: (1) skills training that includes workplace literacy and a career path program and (2) training in environmental clean-up. (SK)

Many organizations minimize the gap between technical skills needed and skills available by molding technical workers out of promising technical talent, using training to retain them, and using preemployment assessments and testing tools to spot those with the potential to become information technology workers. (JOW)

Profiles Lisa Dunlap, vice president of retention and recruiting for The Thomson Corporation. Discusses her efforts to make it easy for employees to stay with the company through several methods. Describes the company's website, which makes it easy for employees to look for a new job within the company. (JOW)

A range of work-related training and education opportunities is being offered by employers and federal sources to meet the demand for continuous learning. They include one-stop career centers, Hope scholarships, lifetime learning credit, Pell grants, student loans, exclusion for employer-provided educational assistance, and America's Learning…

Looks at the current federal job training and workforce development structure and suggests that they have many problems. Also describes reforms passed by several states, notably Texas. Suggests that partnership between public and private sectors is crucial to develop and maintain a system that meets everyone's needs. (JOW)

Shares experiences of a human resource development (HRD) book group. Offers practical startup tips, descriptions of different types of book groups, and lessons learned about such groups. Suggests that membership on an HRD book group is an opportunity for self-directed learning in a social context, and it fosters a mindset for lifelong learning.…

Trends shaping the workplace are increased skill requirements; more educated, diverse work force; continued corporate restructuring; change in size and composition of training departments; instructional technology advances; new training delivery methods; focus on performance improvement; integrated high-performance work systems; companies becoming…