As a result of studies on fitting and machining apprentices attitudes toward employers, a study was conducted to obtain the attitudes of a sample of employers toward apprenticeship. Three hundred questionnaires were distributed to employers of fitting and machine students studying at a number of Sydney (Australia) Technical Colleges. An…

Businesses in South Dakota were surveyed to gauge employers' perceptions of vocational education, to determine the extent of private sector interaction with vocational education, and to document employers' experiences with vocationally trained and nonvocationally trained employees. The statistically valid random sample consisted of 347 small…

This report documents findings of a survey of attitudes of business toward vocational education in South Dakota. Chapter I discusses the purpose of the study. Chapter II describes the procedures followed in collecting data from employers. It documents all steps from questionnaire design to data entering and concludes with a presentation of…

QUESTIONNAIRES WERE MAILED TO 297 BUSINESS FIRMS TO DETERMINE THE CHARACTER OF THE WORK FORCE, THE TURNOVER OR OPENINGS ANNUALLY, THE JOB QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED TO FILL THE JOBS, AND THE TRAINING PROGRAMS NEEDED TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR THE OCCUPATIONS IN AGRICULTURAL BUSINESSES, GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, AND FARMS IN THE COLLEGE OF THE SEQUOIAS…

A survey of 379 Elkhart County, Indiana, employers was conducted to determine the local labor force situation. Replies received from 141 employers were analyzed, with the following findings reported: (1) more than 520 job openings existed for unskilled, entry-level jobs, but employers were having trouble filling them because candidates were poorly…

Although the general perception in the United States may be that downsizing in companies is pervasive and increasing, the facts show a slowing of the trend in downsizing and a net gain in employment. Many workers have found new jobs at or near their former pay rates, although only half of older workers are able to find jobs comparable to the ones…

A study was conducted by the Iowa State Department of Education to gather follow-up data on former students who completed employment-preparation programs at one of the 15 community colleges in Iowa during 1984-85. Study findings, based on college data and responses from 1,091 of a sample of 3,676 program completers and 444 of 583 employers of…

This study was undertaken (1) to determine the number and kinds of skilled, semi-skilled, and technician employees in a multi-county region in Nebraska, (2) to provide a basis for planning vocational curriculum at Iowa Western Community College, and (3) to aid in statewide planning in area vocational schools and community colleges. A mail survey…

A 1999 survey of employer views on vocational education and training (VET) interviewed 3,558 employers of recent VET graduates and 2,495 employers with no VET graduates. Focuses The focus was employers' characteristics, their general views on VET, and information on their organizations' training practices. Findings indicated the following: (1) the…

Case studies of 16 firms across Australia that employ adult apprentices in the "traditional" trades were conducted to identify innovative ways of getting adults into the trades. The case studies included interviews with the firms' apprentice managers, training providers, and adult apprentices. Although some adult-friendly innovations…

Follow-up surveys were conducted of adult clients who participated under Titles IIA and III of the Job Training Partnership (JTP) Act in Ohio. Data were gathered from JTP clients 13 and 26 weeks after completion of the program and combined with data from the state management information system, and a survey of a sample of employers of JTP-Ohio…

Research was conducted in Europe to determine the following: (1) the current situation in the chemicals industry in regard to transparency, recognition, and transfer of qualifications; (2) the obstacles to transparency and recognition of qualifications in the industry; and (3) the key areas for future action and possible measures to promote…

In September 1997, more than 900 corporate leaders, educators, work force development professionals, coalition members, employment and training specialists and government officials participated in a conference focused on the new realities in the work force and workplace. The conference featured papers on such topics as the implications of a global…

This serial issue focusing on the theme of "School-to-Work." The two articles it contains describe promising practices that benefit individual students who participate. The first article, "Connecting the Dots: Linking School and Work to Accelerate Student Results," examines how schools and businesses are linking up, leading to benefits for…

The 1999 Australian Survey of Employer Views on vocational education and training (VET) followed previous surveys in 1995 and 1997. The number of organizations employing recent VET graduates increased steadily over the last 5 years, from 63,000 in 1995 to 104,000 in 1997 to 117,000 in 1999. On the whole, employer views on VET were more positive in…