Intermediaries--also referred to as bridge builders, boundary spanners, conveners, and other names--fill the critical role of connecting all the parties in the system to empower people with the skills required in the labor force. Those parties generally include employers, educators, workers, and prospective workers. Within these categories may…

This paper first examines the current literacy and numeracy "crisis" in Australian workplaces where loss of productivity, lack of take-up in training, and skills shortages are being blamed on workers' lack of literacy and numeracy skills. Literacy and numeracy in workplaces are more complex and require alternative understandings of…

The 3-day conference, which was attended by educators and labor specialists from within and outside the labor movement, took an exhaustive look at such varying topics as modern communications and education, the financing of labor education, the training of labor educators, and the teaching of subjects important to labor. (Author)

The symposium on economic education for trade unionists held in Geneva identified areas of major interest, analyzed different ways of improving the economic knowledge of workers, discussed the planning and implementation of programs and materials, and reviewed ILO economic contributions to economic education. (Author/BP)

Workers' education in the Belgian trade union movement began in the twentieth century. The author recalls the founding and aims of various institutions which trained workers, describes the evolution of course programs up to the present time, and deals with the question of "time credit" and further training. (Author/BP)

Between 1992 and 1995, 2,117 nonmanagerial employers in 31 public and private sector organizations throughout the United Kingdom were interviewed for the following purposes: analyzing the need for training and development (T&D); obtaining feedback on existing training provision; identifying barriers to T&D that might affect individuals'…

The background, achievements, problems, and future plans of various workers' organizations in agriculture are discussed: International Federation of Plantation, Agricultural, and Allied Workers; Trade Union International of Agricultural, Forestry, and Plantation Workers; World Federation of Agricultural Workers; and the Asian Trade Union College.…

This Commission of the European Communities' report concerns problems associated with the right of workers to receive study leave in member states. The study focuses on Belgium, Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. An addendum analyzes the United Kingdom and Denmark. Findings are presented in seven sections.…

Recent studies confirm that organized labor's role in society does not get fair treatment in the social studies and American history courses of the nation's schools. The report covers the first stage of AFL-CIO efforts in dealing with this problem, bringing together concerned persons in labor and education. Following the opening of the conference…

A team of faculty and advanced graduate students from Boston College developed a new educational partnership with labor unions to help combat problems of industrial dislocation and upheaval. The group worked with five different union locals experiencing serious problems associated with foreign competition and new technology. (CH)

Unions are increasingly embarking on education and training programs in occupational health and safety for workers and their representatives. The importance of such programs is stressed by the author. Discusses occupational dangers and how worker education programs can contribute to reducing these dangers. (CT)

The education officer for the Irish Congress of Trade Unions writes about the trade union approach to labor education and the provision of comprehensive educational programs for workers. (MF)

In the U.S.S.R., the trade unions see the continuous growth of the general educational, cultural and technical level of all workers as one of the conditions of social and scientific progress in the interests of the working class. The role of the unions in the lifelong education of the population is determined by their status in the political…

Small and mid-sized businesses must change their production and service delivery methods if they are to remain competitive in a global economy. According to businesspersons, service providers, and employees who participated in 18 focus groups in 10 cities throughout the United States, businesses are being forced to change their ways of doing…

This report contains 10 articles, written by national and state leaders in the adult literacy field, that pose challenges confronting the adult literacy system. The articles provide a framework for states to use in beginning the process of achieving a literate citizenry and work force. Titles and authors are as follows: "Building State Literacy…