Many difficult political, administrative, and technical issues must be addressed in developing occupational standards and certification systems in middle income and developing countries. Political issues focus on the clear recognition within the country, particularly by the key stakeholders (government, unions, enterprises), of the following: the…

The heritage and history of the United States have influenced its consistent tendency toward voluntary adoption of standards achieved by consensus and toward guidelines rather than regulations. Major initiatives have continued to move toward a systematic, if not a centralized or standardized, approach. Over the past 20 years, varying degrees of…

This report focuses on the use of nationally recognized, industry-based skill standards and occupational certifications that promote certificate portability, skill transferability, worker mobility, and education and training consistency within and across states and nationwide. Chapters 1, 2, and 3 define what is meant by skill standards and…

This guidebook provides an overview of the Common Framework for Skill Standards (CFSS) developed by the National Skill Standards Board (NSSB). It is designed for voluntary partnerships, convening groups, and anyone interested in learning more about how skill standards can increase the skills and productivity of American workers. A companion…

The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) in Singapore provides skills training to school leavers through the institutional training and apprenticeship modes. The strengths of apprenticeship training are: provision of more occupational choices; greater effectiveness in meeting specific needs of industries; and opportunities for young people to…

This report summarizes findings of a team of U.S. business, labor, and public policy representatives that visited Denmark and Great Britain in Fall 1993 to study innovations in the education and training of young people for work. An executive summary and introduction are followed by two main sections that present findings from the visits. Each…

This report describes current systems and procedures for certification in France. An introduction makes brief reference to the characteristics of the general and vocational training systems. Part 1 provides details of the respective powers of the various bodies and authorities involved in the establishment of certification procedures. It examines…

This report profiles the systems, structures, and procedures for the assessment of competencies and awarding of qualifications in the vocational education and training sectors in Ireland. An introduction briefly describes the Irish education and vocational training system. Chapter 1 profiles the main awarding bodies in Ireland in second-level,…

This report describes systems and procedures for the certification of qualifications and skills in Luxembourg. All areas of education and the various levels of training are covered. An introduction offers an overview of the characteristics of the Luxembourg education system, including funding and structure. Section 2 describes systems of training…

This report describes current systems and procedures for certification in Germany. An introduction makes brief reference to the characteristics of the general and vocational training systems. Section 1 contains a preliminary explanation. Section 2 describes the German educational system. Section 3 is a typology of examinations and certificates…

The Texas Skills Development Program (TSDP) is a key long-term strategy of the Smart Jobs initiative that will assist Texas business, industry, and labor in conveying job skill requirements to the public education and training system. Employers feel that job applicants do not have the basic reading, writing, and computation skills they need. TSDP…

Changes caused by technology, economy, society, and education have necessitated reform of technological and vocational education (TVE) in Taiwan. Recommended reforms are as follows: relaxing educational regulations, accepting every student into higher education, streamlining channels to higher education, raising educational quality, and creating a…

During fiscal year (FY) 1989, the Vocational and Industrial Training Board (VITB) in Singapore offered full-time training at seven levels for secondary school leavers. The board's intake of 9,333 participants was 8% below the FY 1988 intake, a fact that was attributed to fewer primary school leavers. The introduction of the Revised Vocational…

This issue focuses on the National Alliance of Business's work with employers to sort out how certificates can most effectively indicate workplace skills and requirements and confirm that certified individuals possess them. "Skills Certificates Signal Competencies in a Demand-Driven Economy" discusses the needs to which certificates respond; how…

This report describes current systems and procedures for certification in Denmark. An introduction makes brief reference to the characteristics of the general and vocational training systems. Section 1 addresses formulation and introduction of certificates, qualifications, and diplomas, including the relevant institutions, procedures, and…