The training received by workers depends predominantly on the organisational choices and funds allocated by businesses. It is therefore justifiable to ask whether public policy should either endorse the spontaneous distribution of training or take measures to correct it. This paper analyses the motivations and limitations of public intervention,…

Programs for the employment of mentally challenged workers are commendable; however, some of these workers simply cannot participate in them. The experiences of the Marriott Corporation provide a glimpse of the positive and negative aspects of hiring mentally challenged workers. (Author/JOW)

Building Bridges to the American Workplace-Employment Counseling with Immigrants and Refugees is a training session presented by the author to people in the workforce development field. The information in this article is based on the concepts presented in the training. This paper outlines the four vocational identity models used by immigrants and…

This interview with the General Secretary of the International Federation of Commercial, Clerical, Professional, and Technical Employees ranges over the problems created for these workers by micro-technology. (SK)

The focus of this article is to examine the relationship between the workplace and business. In doing so, the concept of profitability will be considered first followed by an examination of three concerns in reducing expenses: geography, technical efficiency, and people. (CT)

While agreeing on balance with the four preceding articles on the changing workplace, the author cites some research that indicates that the net effect of technology is to lower skill requirements of jobs. Concludes that we will need a flexible, well-educated work force. (SK)

Discussions of knowledge workers are gender blind and ignore or devalue women's work. A more useful conception of the worker as cyborg illuminates questions of ownership of skills and knowledge and the blurring of boundaries between humans and technologies. (SK)

A bakery foreman states that employers need (1) a sustained standard of living; (2) job security; (3) creativity; and (4) dignity in work. He suggests that foreman must find ways to increase productivity while treating employees as individuals. (SK)

Discusses four obstacles to improvement in child care: attitudes towards it, its relationship to family life, lack of training, and inadequate work conditions. (Author/SS)

Some training failures may be attributed to lack of recognition that learning is a social activity and that collective learning results in communities of practice. The experiences of Dede Miller at Xerox Corporation and the gap that separates learning theory and common training practice show how hard it is to apply new approaches to workplace…

The World Employment Report indicates that the number of unemployed and underemployed workers around the world has never been higher and will grow as a result of the financial crisis in Asia and other parts of the world. Worker training provides an effective means to resolve this problem. (Author/JOW)

The British government's policy of flexible labor market may be interpreted as either flexibility of conditions, which encourages temporary, contingent work, or flexibility of skills, a repertoire that enables workers to undertake a range of tasks as needed. The challenge for educators is to help workers understand and engage in an uncertain world…

Honeywell Inc.'s Canadian manufacturing facility offers comprehensive adult education and training programs. Courses offered spearhead cultural changes needed to become globally competitive. Changes start on the factory floor with those who directly affect three aspects of customer satisfaction: on-time delivery, product quality, and low cost.…

Examines a recent trend in American businesses--workplace democracy--and what it means for education, with specific suggestions for classroom methodology. Discusses democracy in American businesses, education's role in preparing future business employees, and suggestions for business educators. (CT)

Explores how sponsored experiential learning programs work--from the perspectives of both the facilitators and the consumers of the learning. Discusses on-campus programs, off-campus centers, the intern position, administering adult internship programs--the sponsor's perspective and the company perspective, and internships with current employers.…