A survey of businesses (n=42) determined hiring practices and job responsibilities of entry-level accountants and found out the course content, computer application requirements, and qualities needed. Results indicate that beginning accounting employees need to be technically literate, strong communicators, and problem solvers. (JOW)

At a conference on the senior year experience, participants described "capstone" courses that pull together the themes of a student's major and investigate ethics and civic responsibility. Employers said many college graduates were unprepared to work in teams and unwilling to pay their dues by starting in entry-level positions. (MLW)

A study was conducted to determine a relevant curriculum for the electronic engineering technology programs of junior colleges in Taiwan that would meet workplace demand. Using a revised DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) technique, a duty-task profile of electronic technicians, which contained 12 duties and 73 tasks, was first constructed. Based on…

A study was conducted to develop the electronic technical competencies of duty and task analysis by using a revised DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) method, a questionnaire survey, and a fuzzy synthesis operation. The revised DACUM process relied on inviting electronics trade professionals to analyze electronic technology for entry-level…

A business and education partnership model addressed a shortage of local, qualified, entry-level, technically skilled workers through a school-to-work apprenticeship program at the North Montco Technical Career Center in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. The research-based solution plan of the Pennsylvania Youth Apprenticeship Program (PYAP) included three…

This bulletin describes the changing nature of work and summarizes research that has sought to identify the skills that all high school graduates and adult learners should have. It challenges several common assumptions about what preparation is needed for the workplace and how effectively schools are delivering the necessary skills. It cites the…

A survey elicited information from the business community on the written and oral business communications skills needed by entering first-level management and supervisory personnel. It also gave the business personnel surveyed the opportunity to evaluate the business communications competencies currently offered in college business communications…

This book, written to help educators with little or no experience in tech prep, presents a step-by-step process showing how to plan, develop, and implement a tech prep program. It shows how schools can work collaboratively with businesses to organize programs that give students the core, technical, and specialty skills and proficiencies they need.…

Designed to update an original study conducted two years ago, this study questioned businesses across Wyoming about the job skills needed by persons graduating from high school and immediately entering the work force in office occupations. A questionnaire was sent to 210 businesses across the state, with a response rate of 62 percent (137…

Based on the results of focus groups, Connecticut's Non-Traditional Opportunities Task Force concluded that despite substantial effort, there is still not enough support for women who wish to enter nontraditional jobs. Recommendations were made for changes in the following areas: (1) redesign of math and science courses; (2) teacher preparation…

This document consists of an evaluation report and a curriculum guide from a National Workplace Literacy project designed to demonstrate the process and effects of literacy classes held in work environments through the Yakima Valley (Washington) Opportunities Industrialization Center. The report notes the following results: (1) of 1,976 workers…

The United Kingdom's Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA), UK SKILLS, and the Further Education Skills Competition Council conducted a collaborative action research project to improve students' vocational learning and skills through enhanced learning experiences. From February 2001 to April 2002, three further education colleges worked to…

This booklet, which is part of a series demonstrating the scope of employer involvement in school-to-careers, highlights the efforts of three retail employers and two "intermediary" organizations connecting workplace experiences to classroom learning for secondary education students. The introduction presents a series overview and lists…

The question of how to best prepare nurses for practice continues to be debated extensively. The crux of the debate is whether a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) should be required of all registered nurses in the United States or whether an associate degree in nursing (ADN) and diploma programs adequately prepare novice nurses for practice.…

Occupational supply and demand in Washington State was examined by comparing projected supplies of skilled workers coming out of the state's community and technical colleges against the projected demand among Washington employers for people qualified to enter particular occupations. The analysis was based on a January 2000 report, information…