A study of 39 technical college students in Kenya found the majority enrolled in gender-traditional programs. Although school facilities, guidance, and labor market orientation played a part, gender was the most persuasive factor in career choice. Parental pressure and stereotypical guidance reinforced gender norms, but some students were able to…

For vocational education to be economically and socially vital, it must focus on subject matter integration, private sector collaboration, and preparation for high-skill and technical careers. (SK)

The study attempted to determine needs for training robotic technicians in Michigan. The survey had three parts: (1) needed technical specialities, (2) current problems with robot maintenance and repair, and (3) number of robots needed to keep a full-time technician occupied. (CH)

Cognitive technical skills assessments, the Group Embedded Figures Test, Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking assessment, and a problem-solving inventory were completed by 15 maintenance technicians. Near-transfer problem-solving skills were predicted by cognitive ability, years of experience, and critical thinking. Field dependence/independence and…

This study of female high school seniors' career selections indicates that females who enroll in industrial arts courses could have their career aspirations changed by the exploratory experience. (SK)

A study identified performance differences between expert and novice technicians who troubleshoot faulty technical equipment and recommended improvements in the instruction of troubleshooting techniques. Results indicate that the primary differences between experts and novices were quality of information acquired and quality of hypotheses…