The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimated that approximately 9% of current jobs within OECD member states are threatened with automation and digitalization--all significant successes and advances in artificial intelligence, robotics, and computer science. With such global changes and forecasts, in the labor…

The experience of developed countries--particularly member-states of the OECD--has shown that employers are actively investing in developing the human capital of their employees. According to research conducted by the World Bank, more than half of the companies in developed countries provide their employees with training in one form or another.…

Over the past four decades, governments in the least developed countries (LDCs--a categorization adopted by the United Nations) have been attempting to improve the skills and knowledge of their public servants by providing local and international training programs. Despite these training activities, however, many LDCs continue to experience acute…

Many developed countries have issues with the movement of populations away from rural areas. There has been an active move towards "value adding" in rural areas, and in particular, the development of tourism activities, to counter this trend. The purpose of this paper is to document the curriculum development process that was engaged in,…

Despite the proven track record of older workers and accumulating evidence that age is not a handicap to continued learning, employers remain reluctant to invest resources in their training and retraining. Often, where training opportunities are provided with no age restrictions, only a small proportion of older persons eligible will participate.…

Suggests that the recent recession has left its mark on Germany and that one of the reasons for high unemployment is that industrialized nations are unable to react appropriately to changes in competition. Offers a strategy for making work time more flexible. (JOW)

Review of programs initiated by various western countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)--government-initiated public and private programs to cope with the youth unemployment problem. (JT)

Language ability is a holistic competence that encompasses both cognitive and social skills. Second languages are key skills for mobility in the European Union, but given minimal attention. The position of language instruction and teacher training must be strengthened in vocational training. (SK)

A study was conducted to document and analyze the financing flows and flows of people in adult vocational education in the Netherlands. The study sought to determine the following: (1) the activities geared to adult vocational education; (2) the flows of people into and out of adult vocational education; and (3) the financial flows, the allocation…

This document summarizes the proceedings of a 2-day conference on training in small and medium businesses in the European Economic Community. Some of the topics discussed by the speakers include distance learning and the importance of training for owners and managers of small and medium enterprises. A series of guides that have been prepared to…

Efforts in Great Britain to change from the historic apprenticeship system and the levy-grant system as manpower training sources to (1) industrial internal training programs and (2) stipends to all British citizens 19 years of age and over for training program participation are reported. Implications for the US are drawn. (AG)

This report describes the funding of vocational education and training (VET) between 1986 and 1998. In Spain, VET is governed by many laws and agreements between the government and social partners. Spain receives structural funds through the European Social Fund (ESF) and European Regional Development Funds (ERDF). Financing of initial vocational…

Examines the comparative labor market experience of youth in the United States and eight other developed countries from 1960-1979, focusing upon unemployment levels and rates. Finds that the situation worsened in industrialized nations after the 1974-75 recession and that Japanese and German youth continue to have the most favorable job prospects.…

This booklet includes the latest list of unit standards and qualifications registered on the New Zealand National Qualifications Framework to April 1994. Unit standards registered on the framework can be offered by private and government training establishments, polytechnics, colleges of education, and schools. This list of registered unit…

This article updates comparative unemployment rates through the third quarter 1982 and other related labor market statistics through 1981 for the U.S. and nine other countries. The foreign unemployment and labor data are adjusted to U.S. concepts. (CT)