Increasingly, companies are dropping four-year degree requirements in job postings, favoring skill-based requirements--such as communication and writing--instead. These types of nonacademic "soft skills" are viewed as essential for employment--employers consistently cite these abilities as among the most valuable in job applicants, yet…

This study focuses on the school-work connection from the perspective of curriculum design. The aim was to uncover considerations underpinning the design of learning environments in vocational education. The research took place in the Netherlands. A focus group methodology was chosen to elicit designers' considerations, which generally remain…

Chinese vocational education is currently in its most optimal development period in history. This article discusses several challenges of different dimensions faced by vocational education in China as it develops, such as scale versus quality, development goals, a lifelong vocational education system, and creating model institutions; and puts…

Achieving national goals for increased college completion in a time of scarce resources will require the postsecondary institutions that enroll the majority of undergraduates--community colleges and less-selective public universities--to graduate more students at a lower cost. Davis Jenkins and Olga Rodriguez examine research on how these…

Vocational education by its nature has a need for delivery methods that place a strong focus on the relationship between school and work and seeks to deliver instruction in a manner that bridges the two as seamlessly as possible. This paper presents a curriculum and constructivist-based instructional delivery approach, designed to emphasize a…

Today's hyper-connected students live in a world of instant interpersonal communications and virtually infinite access to information and educational resources. But this networked world, and the powerful learning tools it offers, has yet to penetrate the typical classroom. In many ways educational institutions are spinning their curricular wheels,…

This report provides the recommendations made by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology based from its examination on the accessibility of post-secondary education in Canada. Aligned with the needs of employers, and operating on the leading edge of advanced…

It is time to add another layer to the technical education curriculum, a management of technology capstone. Technical education needs to be closely attuned to changes in the workplace in which technical workers play an increasingly important role. (JOW)

The demand for employees capable of functioning in high-performance workplaces will only increase. There must be significant changes in technology-education curriculum for secondary programs and technology-education programs that participate in school-to-work and tech-prep programs. (JOW)

Discusses the advantages of having an advisory council to provide advice; to draw from the business, industrial, and professional communities; to provide a cohesiveness among programs within an institution; and to provide a link between education and the real world. (JOW)

Komacek discusses the importance of teaching transportation/automotive technology. Anderson provides models, content, and teaching methods that will benefit students, schools, and industry. (JOW)

Describes four aspects of the 1990 Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology and Education Act Amendments and indicates their importance. Basic funds may be spent to integrate academic and vocational training using a job-skills training context and to provide needy students with supplementary services ensuring their participation. Includes…

Considers the general education component of technical programs as a means of helping adults adjust to today's industrial changes in processes, machines, and management and thereby to hold jobs, move into new ones, and change careers. Reviews the literature on the general education needs of students in high technology programs and models for…

Describes the modular curriculum developed by the National Center for Construction Education and Research; presents 10 steps toward establishing a school-to-career program in construction. Provides a variety of information about carpentry/construction as a career including salary range, projected job growth, educational requirements, and…

This report presents an update on a Commission study of the nexus between postsecondary education and the development of a world-class workforce for the 21st century. Following a meeting with a technical advisory committee, staff recommends that further work be done to clarify research questions prior to moving forward on the next phase of the…