The most serious problem with the current work force preparation system is that many employment and training programs operate today to serve roughly the same people. Instead, these programs should be coordinated better to lower costs in the face of lowered funding. The General Accounting Office reports that about 125 federal programs do…

Young adults without a college education and their families are suffering declining economic status and diminished opportunities. Real incomes of males aged 20-24 years fell 25 percent between 1973 and 1986. Inspired by time-tested alternative paths to work and learning recommended by Howard Gardner, the Grant Commission on Work, Family, and…

State and local surveys indicate that most current legislative provisions designed to encourage joint planning and program coordination of vocational education, employment, and training programs have been implemented. Coordination seems better under the Job Training Partnership Act than it was under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act.…

This article presents a brief account of some of the new directions that manpower planning has taken in recent years viewed primarily in the light of activities undertaken by the International Labour Office technical cooperation program in this field. (Author/CT)

Examines the impact of community college programs on business and industry through the preparation of a trained labor force. Notes existing partnerships between industry and postsecondary education, but concludes that new linkages are necessary if community colleges are to provide leadership for change through labor and industrial development…

The authors describe a collaborative employee training program between WeMoCo Occupational and Technical Center and General Motors' Delco Products Division. The program features an enablement process that allows coordinators from education and industry to clear obstacles that block student learning in such programs. (CH)

Describes the goals and focus of the National Workforce Assistance Collaborative, a national resource for technical assistance in workforce and workplace development supported by a Department of Labor grant. Indicates that the collaborative has developed two strategies for its dissemination effort: a national resource network and an electronic…

Outlines the gains made to date from school/business partnerships and analyzes limits of such partnerships in relation to individual school needs, reform efforts, and costs. Speculates about the effect of involving private vendors in the work of education. (CJH)

Presents an overview of the problems and challenges facing postsecondary education posed by economic conditions, enrollment fluctuations, and rapid changes in the job market. Urges public and proprietary school leaders to develop long-range plans to complement and supplement each other's efforts through communication and cooperation. (DMM)

Today private-sector partnerships and business involvement aimed at improving the educational system operate at several levels: (1) policy; (2) systemic educational improvements; (3) management assistance; (4) teacher training and development; and (5) classroom programs. Early intervention for the future work force is the motivating factor.…

Offering an educational program through a corporation enables an institution to recruit a large number of new, previously unserved students at one time. A program that helps New Jersey state employees earn degrees at Thomas A. Edison State College is described. (MLW)

Part of the South Carolina technical education system which helps the state attract new industry, Appalachia Tri County Technical College plays a significant role in the preparation of appropriately trained technical workers and in the establishment of new industry in the area. (SB)

The author states that vocational education can join in partnerships with industry, labor, and government to contribute to economic development. Examples of current programs are included. The "joint venture" concept is explained and ideas for forming joint ventures are shared. (CH)

Reviews approaches taken by Oregon, Arizona, Illinois, Ohio, South Carolina, North Carolina, and California to incorporate community college systems into statewide economic development strategies. Approaches focus on small business assistance; anticipation of community needs; incentives for innovation; technology transfer; comprehensive…

Provides an annotated bibliography of ERIC materials on the role of community colleges in economic development, including general articles, services to businesses, state economic development activities, and local economic development. (DMM)