One in every six adults in the United States is an immigrant. These immigrant adults contribute to the vitality of local communities and economies across the country, but many also face barriers to integration and economic mobility, including limited English proficiency, varied levels of formal education, and persistent employment in low-wage…

Our nation's economy and global competitiveness depend on an educated, skilled workforce that can quickly adapt to changes in technology and business processes. Adult educators understand that adult learners need opportunities to obtain workplace and career management skills through work-based learning experiences that prepare them for the complex…

State adult education systems, which receive significant funding from the U.S. government, are the primary source of many key integration services for adult immigrants--from English classes and literacy programs to civics courses and some workforce development activities. Although such programs have existed for decades, the passage of the…

The need to develop international cross-cultural perspectives has led many educators to create study abroad programs for their learners. One way to support this learning in adult higher education is to offer education abroad programs -- often short-term international field experiences led by faculty for adult students. In the current study, we…

Adult education programs play a critical role in preparing immigrants and New Americans (multilingual learners) for employment by building English language skills and supporting workforce preparation and training. Addressing multilingual learners' economic integration needs, one of the three pillars of immigrant integration, along with civic and…

The purpose of this case study was to explore how low-skilled workers who participated in a health care training program learned to acquire the technical, cognitive, and developmental competencies they needed to gain skilled employment in higher-level positions in the field and thus advance their careers. The data methods used were: (1) in-depth…

Presents a case study of how action research can be used to design a career development program based on the principles of change used in organization development. Steps in the model are data collection, analysis, feedback, program draft, recommendations, and evaluation. (CH)

The Collier Country (Florida) Sheriff's Office has initiated a voluntary career development program for law enforcement and corrections officers holding ranks of lieutenant and below. The career development program is implemented through a systems approach that integrates career planning and individual assessment with performance evaluation,…

This book presents an approach that organizes the principles and processes of an emerging human resource development (HRD) paradigm requiring training to be everyone's business. Chapter 1 describes the paradigm and presents a practical approach for applying it. Chapter 2 draws a picture of highly effective training (HET), focusing particularly on…

Most teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) face a number of challenges: large and heterogeneous classes, specialized student needs, and poor funding and employment continuity. Many work part time, often in more than one program and serving simultaneously as administrator and teacher. While most have college degrees, their training is…

This guide, which is intended for individuals responsible for designing and/or delivering workplace basic skills programs, explains the principles and procedures of curriculum development in the workplace. Discussed in chapter 1 is the importance of focusing on basic skills in workplace education and examining existing practices. Chapter 2…

A survey of French research by CEREQ ("A French research centre for analysis of occupations and of vocational education and training") shows that firms have undertaken a number of experiments, most of them large scale, to retrain their work force. These initiatives are situated within a general context of change. Training programs based…

This handbook is intended to assist trainers, design specialists, training managers, technical trainers, and other members of the public sector who conduct training on an occasional basis. The following topics are covered: understanding human resource development (HRD) and its role in the public sector--expanding the scope and significance of HRD…

This booklet, which is intended for practitioners in continuing higher education, examines the role of higher education in retraining displaced professionals. The booklet begins with brief descriptions of four innovative university programs for displaced professionals and an exploration of higher education's role in retraining displaced…

This guide is for employers to use in planning future human resources strategies. Part 1 focuses on three practical strategies germane to most labor and skill shortage problems. The first chapter reviews challenges employers face. Chapter 2 presents two basic strategies for strengthening entry-level recruitment and staffing: strengthening the…