A strategic plan to strengthen and expand the nation's existing apprenticeship system contains three components: apprenticeship promotion and marketing, national registration and tracking system, and quality. Efforts to promote apprenticeship must involve a two-pronged strategy that seeks both to develop new programs and expose potential program…

In an internationally competitive training environment, implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) in vocational education can provide a comparative advantage in preparing the type of work force required for micro and macro economic reforms. The concept of TQM can be used as a management tool to improve the standards of vocational training.…

A useful, values-oriented human resource development (HRD) program evaluation approach is one that is empirical with its orientation derived from a social/technical perspective. The optimum mix between the technical skills of evaluation and the required social skills of evaluation delivery is crucial for the quality assurance process. The core to…

The most effective colleges and universities in the next few decades will be those able to adapt to a changing workforce and shifting demands of business, political, and other environments. Effective institutions will build effective management teams, create new change strategies, focus on quality, and demonstrate learning from history. (MSE)

The reform of schools and the modernization of workplaces are inextricably linked. Finding common ground begins with a realization that educators have a tripartite mission to teach students to be good neighbors, involved citizens, and qualified workers. Unless the reform of schools and reform of workplaces proceed at the same pace, a mismatch is…

Polish higher education is no longer a driving force for social and economic change. Barriers to reform include funding, staffing, and inefficient management. It has become necessary to enhance the role of private institutions, increase age participation, and increase income through commercialization of services. Needs include greater…

Training systems are facing three basic considerations: (1) adjustment to demographic trends such as the population explosion in developing countries, the aging of the work force in developed countries, and the increased participation of women in economic activities; (2) changing patterns of demand, such as lower rates of growth, restructuring of…

This report is a primer on the multifaceted issues that state legislators are likely to confront under the rubric of human resource development. Chapter 1 proposes a philosophy: enabling every citizen to become a productive member of the 21st century economy is in a state's best interest both socially and fiscally. Chapter 2 focuses on the premium…

Four trends will alter the way the education and training system and other human resource agencies will do business. Themes that reflect them are captured in four words: flexibility, quality, diversity, and scope. The reaction to the current economic downturn remains one of flexibility. Flexibility has emerged as the way in which employers look at…

This paper presents specific steps elected officials, program managers, and other policymakers can take to craft a more effective workforce development system intended to give workers the tools they need to succeed in the new economy. First, the new labor market and work systems are discussed. The paper then lays out eight principles for all…

This document contains four papers from a symposium on performance, productivity, and continuous improvement. "Investigating the Association between Productivity and Quality Performance in Two Manufacturing Settings" (Constantine Kontoghiorghes, Robert Gudgel) summarizes a study that identified the following quality management variables…

This document contains 14 papers that were developed for a 5-day international seminar-workshop at which representatives of multilateral agencies, governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), women's organizations, feminist groups, and universities discussed gender issues in monitoring and evaluation of adult education. The following papers…

This document contains 39 papers and 13 poster presentations from a conference on technological education and national development. The following are among the papers included: "The Future of Technological Education and Vocational Education: UNESCO's (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization's) Perspective" (Adnan…