There are lots of ways to enter a high-paying career without having a bachelor's degree. An associate's degree, a postsecondary non-degree award, or a high school diploma--often coupled with work experience in a related occupation, on-the-job training, or both--can lead to a job that really pays off. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor…

In the past half-century, most countries have emphasized the development of human capital as an instrument for economic growth, sustainable development, and improved global competitiveness. However, limited evidence exists on the link between skills development and a country's competitiveness. This paper examines the contribution and association…

Despite its position as a key mechanism for ensuring accountability to the government and to the public, and as a perceived tool to improve standards and outcomes, the inspection of education--and in particular of the post-compulsory sector--has been under-researched. This paper contributes to the field through an exploration of the twin…

This study compared the entry-level word processing enabling skills of 419 graduates from postsecondary schools in Alberta and compared the entry-level skills these individuals were taught with the enabling skills they were using within one year of employment. (JOW)

Presents a mathematical model concerning the implicit risks to employers and employees of investing in on-the-job training (OJT). Suggests how to reduce OJT risks through "training insurance," where risks are pooled among employers and employees, and discusses more efficient contracts, losses due to layoffs, and OJT technology improvement.…

Knowledge can be taught effectively in the classroom, but skills can best be learned by on-the-job coaching. Coaching is a cost-effective way to reinforce new behaviors and skills until the skill feels more natural and begins to result in better performance. (SK)

According to data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1986-1990, length of training did not affect wages; company training, seminars outside of work, and vocational schools were associated with higher wages. Apprenticeships, business schools, and correspondence courses had no apparent impact on wage levels or change in wages over the…

In Qualified Vocational Instruction, one-third of instructional time consists of advanced application of theory in the workplace. Evaluation of a Swedish pilot project suggests that it is successful, but possible future paths (integration, separation, continuation, or liquidation) depend on political choices about the public/private role. (SK)

Examines the implementation of a situated-learning approach used in a nontraditional setting for an instructional technology course. Students were corporate employees taking the course at their workplace and using authentic work projects for learning. Research questions focused on blending business and academic goals and requirements, kinds of…

Examines why German firms hire overeducated employees in low-skill jobs and pay them more than correctly educated ones. Finds that overeducated employees are more productive, enjoy better health, participate more in on-the-job training, and have longer firm tenure than their correctly educated colleagues. (Contains 28 references.) (PKP)

Interviews and focus groups with 32 apprentices, 21 employers, and 6 teachers in Australia's construction industry showed that on-the-job learning was perceived as more real and focused on "how"; off-the-job learning was less pressured, broader, more theoretical, and concerns with "why." The different contributions each made to…

The rising need for employees in the food service industry, coupled with the youth employment problem, has caused many educational institutions to create programs for students in the hospitality field. Programs include on-the-job training and training in high schools, community colleges, universities, and chef schools. Resources are listed. (DCS)

Analyzes 1980 enterprise-based survey data collected in Kenya and Tanzania to examine the incidence of formal training provided by employers. Estimates wage benefits by using earnings functions for subsamples of skilled manual workers. Trained workers begin at lower wages but have steeper earnings profiles that cross over those of untrained…

Describes an in-house technical writing course that can test theories about the teaching of writing, reveal factors within the workplace that affect writing tasks, and define objectives for future research in organizational communication. (SRT)

Explains various routes to acquiring credentials without a four-year college degree: postsecondary vocational programs, junior/community colleges and technical institutes, correspondence courses, on-the-job training, and other sources. (SK)