Occupational expertise has always been constituted and afforded recognition and status in work contexts, however, these contexts are becoming increasingly interconnected and interrelated, underpinned by, 'intangible assets'. To explore this complex process and its implications for vocational education and training (VET), this article uses the…

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the in-company training according to the technologically demanding and safety-critical feature of the aircraft industry. This study addresses to the tension between the structured and the more incidental part of in-company learning in their training and learning environment. Design/methodology/approach:…

Increasing demand for chemicals worldwide, depleting resources, consumer pressure, stricter legislation, and the rising cost of waste disposal are placing increasing pressure on chemical and related industries. For any organization to survive in the current arena of growing climate change laws and regulations, and increasing public influence, the…

This paper is positioned at the junction between the requirements of the manufacturing industry for a significantly increased number of professionally registered engineers in the UK employment pool and the excellent work which is ongoing in and around the education sector to encourage more young people to follow a career in this field. Higher…

This account of practice describes how a manufacturing company in the North of England transformed their approach to problem-solving and action through the use of a Critical Reflection Action Learning (CRAL) methodology. The company, who had been in business for over 25 years, experienced problems due to a diminishing customer base and substantial…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the ideals and activities of the nineteenth century Welsh industrialist and reformer Robert Owen (1771-1858), and how they informed modern human resource development (HRD) concepts and practices and provided evidence of Owen as a HRD pioneer. Design/methodology/approach: Historiography provided…

This report reviews over 50 research studies to consider the level and type of mathematical skills needed by employers in today's economy. It considers five key questions: (1) What mathematics (level and content) is required in the workplace today?; (2) How and why have the mathematical needs of the workplace changed over time?; (3) In what ways…

While it is recognised that employers invest a substantial amount of money and time in training, the exact nature and amount of this investment is poorly measured and understood. This project set out to supplement the available data, which have many limitations, with more detailed data for selected industries. However, it became quickly apparent…

Purpose: This paper aims to report findings from a North East (of England) study co-financed by the European Social Fund and the Learning and Skills Council to explore the issues around the provision of vocational training for women in Northumberland, focusing on the construction, engineering and manufacturing sectors. The aim of the research was…

Considers employment policy and labor relations in three Japanese manufacturing plants in northeast England. Includes background information regarding their decision to locate there. (JOW)

Includes "Introduction"; "Impact of Research on Manufacturing SMEs"; "Technology Acquisition and the Changing Face of Manufacturing Industry"; "Enabling Continuous Improvement of New Product Development Processes"; "Innovation and SMEs"; "A Decision Support System for the Initiation of…

Analysis of Modern Apprenticeships (n=2,222) in Devon and Cornwall was conducted in four industries: engineering manufacturing, hospitality, construction, and agriculture. Apprenticeship appeared to be a feasible vocational alternative to full-time education, attracting high-quality students. Trainers and career counselors played a crucial role in…

Problems in evaluating cooperative training programs of British universities and companies in the manufacturing industry are discussed. A framework for evaluation and its application in one existing program (involving Molins Ltd., Brunel University, and Henley, The Management College), are presented. (MSE)

Describes examples of industrial education projects in three elementary schools in Staffordshire, England. One involves marketing the historical heritage and other attractions of the community. The second investigates the problem of making and decorating tiles, and the third relates to planning a shopping center. (TW)

Discusses the use of simulated "public inquiries" in classrooms. Includes factors involved in developing two such simulations. Describes basic components and sample texts for "The Generation Game," which deals with building a nuclear power facility, and "Closing the Foundry," which focuses on the implications of…