Employer-provided training is the dominant form of skill development among American workers, but when it comes to training that people can seek out on their own, community colleges are just one of many options that include job training programs run by government agencies, nonprofits, proprietary schools, online programs, and unions. This brief…

The popularity of simulators to augment training programs for operators of heavy machinery has been growing across several industries including mining, rail and more recently construction. High-fidelity, interactive simulation is typically achieved through complete immersion in brief, stressful and complex VR scenarios. The use of simulation…

Trainers in 82 organizations completed a questionnaire that explored the use of training games for instructional and group process purposes. Respondents reported that they had little formal education on the use of games for which they spend an average of 18 percent of their training time. Trainers tended to use games for a variety of instructional…

This overview of computer uses in occupational training discusses three computer-based training modes--embedded, stand-alone, and adjunct training. An adjunct training system is described which captures task realism through a simulation to teach the use of a command and control system. A pilot study of this adjunct system's use is described.…

This report summarizes the findings and recommendations of a study conducted cooperatively by a management consulting firm and a team of Spanish-speaking manpower specialists. Basic issues explored were: (1) What are the manpower needs of Spanish-speaking Americans, (2) How are manpower programs meeting the needs at present, and (3) What action…

The study assessed the use of vouchers for funding manpower training, using the GI bill as a test case. Focus was on vocational training, although on-the-job training (OJT), correspondence, and college training were also examined. The value of training was estimated by the extent to which it leads to increased earnings. Longitudinal earnings…

This report addresses three major issues concerning the Army's program for developing extension training materials: (1) indications of low usage of Army Training Extension Course lessons by soldiers in the field; (2) improvements needed in the process for developing extension training materials; and (3) the need for further evaluation before the…

This study identifies and empirically tests factors that may influence learners' use of a computer-based training support system (TSS). The areas of research and theory were drawn from human-computer interaction, information and business management, and adult education. The factors suggested in the literature that may affect learner's use of a TSS…

For the past 8 years, Minnesota technical colleges have been offering customized training services to the state's employers. To gather data on what kinds of organizations use custom training (CT) programs, the State Board of Technical Colleges surveyed 600 public and private employers that had used CT services through at least one of the system's…

An evaluation of the extent to which research influences decision making in vocational education and training (VET) at the policy level necessitates consideration of these three areas: (1) decision making; (2) research; and (3) linkages. First, the impact of research on decision making incorporates these two elements: (1) use; and (2) influence.…

This report shows how new technological tools or devices are being used in adult education and training; it examines the evidence of their effectiveness and costs; and it suggests prospects for the future use of technologies. Particular attention is given to uses with displaced and employed workers needing basic skills, high school diplomas, and…

A study was conducted to identify reasons companies used community colleges and four-year colleges and universities for corporate education. Other purposes were to determine ways in which companies obtained such educational services and the effect of company size. The population consisted of the chief executive officers of 494 manufacturing…

The extent to which computer-aided drafting and design (CADD) was being used in local businesses in Saginaw, Michigan, was investigated. Focuses of a literature review were types of CADD systems, categories of CADD users, and the symbiotic relationship between industry and education in providing CADD training. The survey questionnaire was…

A survey of academic librarians in New York State (n=139) regarding their attitudes toward the Internet as a reference tool creating user and nonuser profiles incorporating gender, age, experience, access, and training. Researchers examined factors contributing to successful Internet use and to nonuse and made recommendations on how to integrate…

A Morehead State University project field tested the feasibility and utility of a comprehensive vocational training program, the Employability Skills Series of the Adkin Life Skills Program. The study involved nine adult program sites at these levels: adult education/GED (General Education Development training) students, post-GED CETA…