The author argues that the American labor market is in the midst of historic transition that will challenge human resource development professionals. Sweeping demographic changes will soon combine with a "Second Industrial Revolution" in technology and a quantum leap in the level and quality of foreign competition to raise sharply the importance…

Four directors of corporate training answer the question "Should human resource development directors have a training background?" and then each presents a list of recommendations for trainers, involving such areas as internal consulting skills, business experience, sense of timing, the difference between training and teaching, and taking a…

HRD (human resources development) is tackled by the author, who argues against HRD's psychological construct; the assumption that for every problem, there is a theoretical and workable solution; teamwork as opposed to individualism; listening as a discrete skill; if it's Japanese, it's better; and HRD's theory of leadership. (CT)

A method of training used by the Applied Physics Laboratory of John Hopkins University to upgrade the skills of mail clerks to enable them to fill clerk typist positions is recounted and its adaptability pointed out. (AJ)

Redesigning jobs can be cost-effective as well as personnel-effective as organizations change to meet society's changes. The process of redesigning jobs, which allows an organization to use existing personnel and avoid the high cost of recruitment, hiring, and duplicative training, consists of asking the right questions and finding the answers to…