Discusses the importance of maintaining a skilled, competent, aggressive work force that can position an organization for long-term stability and growth. Points out that responsibility for the development of this resource is falling more frequently upon the shoulders of managers at all organizational levels. (JOW)

A survey of 361 human resource developers (HRD) found that trainers are more satisfied with training than with their previous positions because HRD gives them the chance to do different things, make use of abilities, try their own methods, and earn satisfactory pay. (JOW)

Students and career changers can use human resource development (HRD) internships as a practical introduction to the profession. This survey of 125 HRD professionals indicates what practitioners think about internships and presents a realistic picture of what career aspirants can expect from the experience. The questionnaire is included. (JOW)

The balance of power in the United States has begun to shift from youth to older age and will not soon return to a more familiar proportion. Human resource development professionals need to help their companies respond to the needs of older workers and older customers. (JOW)

Definitions of the terms accreditation, certification, and licensure are provided. Also discusses the purposes of professional certification, ways that competencies help the practitioner and the profession, and questions that need to be addressed by human resource development professionals. (CT)

Summarizes major concepts and approaches of the Evaluation Training Consortium project, showing how they relate to evaluation in the human resources development context. (CT)

Malcolm Knowles' career in human resource development has spanned more than 50 years. This article describes some of his achievements in adult education and presents tributes from colleagues. (JOW)

Describes resources that trainers can use to tap into both academic and street knowledge about training and human resource development (HRD). Includes information about books, journals, professional associations, seminars, and online databases. (JOW)

This article asserts that displacement in the future will be less severe than is currently believed, especially if certain measures are instituted, such as continuous retraining of active workers in generalizable skills, advance notice of plant closings, and job clubs, among others. (JB)

Briefly lists the major issues which will affect organizations in the 1980s. Also looks at an evolutionary adaptation of quality circles appropriate for management, the "verteam" or vertical team circle. (CT)

Focusing on training as it relates to adult education, this article provides three definitions of adult education and discusses three categories of adult educators. It is noted that trainers work with people who see themselves essentially as adults, and in that sense trainers are adult educators. (LRA)

A recent study of academic programs in human resources development (HRD) produced the following profile of the academic researcher in HRD: male, in the field of education, graduate student or professor, focusing on training and development, doing unfunded research, method of research is descriptive rather than experimental. (JOW)

Human resources development and training are not suited to everyone. A practical, time-saving process for people wanting to become trainers includes (1) assessing relevant skills and interests; (2) researching organizations; (3) learning basic business operations; (4) learning the training process; (5) developing a chronological resume; (6)…

The authors discuss how training managers can deal with functional illiteracy among their worksite students. Recommendations include (1) understand the reading process, (2) use directed reading activity, (3) determine reading level of materials and trainees, and (4) investigate alternative materials. (CH)

The chief executive officer of Xerox demonstrates how his company uses education and training to improve quality and productivity in the work force. Leadership and the quest for quality in human resource development are illustrated. (SK)