The apprenticeship movement is reshaping skills, policies, and programs in the United States at a critical moment in our country's history. This reader offers a chorus of voices emanating from different countries and populations, echoing commitment to bright, sustainable workforce futures through a well-crafted approach to this talent development…

A survey of 462 British women in science/engineering, law, accounting, and nursing demonstrated the need for, and effectiveness of, specialized professional retraining for women returning to higher-level occupations. Investment in their education, such as through the European Social Fund, benefits both the women and the economy. (SK)

A number of ideological, economic and demographic changes are necessitating radical and substantial changes in the education system in England and Wales. Foreseeing a teacher shortage throughout primary education well into the 1990s, alternative forms of entry to the profession have been explored. However, the largest potential source for…

A study evaluated three clubs that provide out-of-school childcare in Kent, England: Out-of-School Childcare, Returners Roadshow and Workshops, and a parenting skills course. Questionnaires collected information from 29 club managers and 282 parents of children in the clubs and 78 participants of Returners events. Thirty participants in the…

This report describes the results of a study aimed at presenting a broad picture of educational opportunities open to unemployed adults in England and to identify problems and possible solutions. Material for the report was gathered through visits to a variety of institutions and agencies in urban and rural areas of England. The report is…

Job placement, unemployment insurance, and active labor market policy in Germany were reviewed. The following were among the review's main conclusions: (1) measures of active and passive labor market policy are still regarded as important to combating unemployment and improving the matching function of the German labor market; (2) the many…

In the new context of economic recovery, employment creation, new technologies, and labor shortages in some sectors, France cannot sustain a systematic policy of rejecting aging workers. This policy has led gradually to the recognition that early retirement was merely an easy way out of the problem that has many substantially adverse effects on…

No longer is it possible for individuals to go through their working lives using only the skills and training they acquired during their initial schooling. Instead, they need to continually acquire new skills and re-think their career goals to meet changing job requirements and economic conditions. In order to help adults learn new skills and…

Polish continuing education (CE) includes education, further education, and professional development in and out of school; in day, evening, or weekend courses; and distance education. The state, workplaces, grants, and foreign assistance provide financing. A variety of organizations cooperate to provide continuing education. High-risk groups…

This document reports on a European Training Foundation Advisory Forum study of vocational education and training (VET) and retraining in the regions of the European Union (EU) that synthesized overviews of the general country situations regarding the territorial organization of the VET system and policy and relevant case studies concerning…