The interview with Edgar B. Speer, chairman and chief executive of the United States Steel Corporation, focuses on the company's training and development activities. The role of the training department in management development is discussed. (EC)

Growth in the importance of training and development came as a result of its changing functions and its ability to meet the objectives of agencies and firms. At the same time, personnel departments have declined in importance because of their reactionary outlook towards staff functions. (EC)

Outlines a methodology that enables managers to translate the basic principles of human resource strategy into pragmatic and concrete action programs. The methodology includes providing framework for strategic decision making; ensuring linkage between corporate, business, and human resource strategies; conducting audit of the human resource…

Tips to trainers for influencing management to provide employee development programs are presented, with reference to the Fluor Corporation's People Resources Planning Center which the author developed. (MF)

Emphasizing that training professionals must do some predicting and shape programs to meet the human resource needs of the future, the author discusses qualitative and quantitative changes in the work force. He also explores the effects of America's bilingualism, the rise of socio-technical changes and labor market changes. (JOW)