This study analyzes the broadened role of the community college in workforce preparation and economic development over the last 20 years, describing its main contours, explaining why and how it arose, and assessing its impact on students, firms, and community colleges. As part of the study, questions were raised about the costs, as well as…

The Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD) Standards on Ethics and Integrity, which were first presented in 1999, constituted one of three new initiatives to take the AHRD to a new level of leadership in the HRD profession. Although the initial standards were intentionally brief and easy to read, their application in specific situations may…

This packet contains four papers on organizational structure and strategy from a symposium on human resource development (HRD). The first paper, "Exploring Alignment: A Comparative Case Study of Alignment in Two Organizations" (Steven W. Semler), reports on a case study that compared the results of an alignment measurement instrument…

This document contains three papers from a symposium on research methods in human resource development (HRD) that was conducted as part of a conference on HRD. "Utilizing Electronic Mail To Survey Human Resource Development Practitioners: A Comparison between Electronic Mail and the U.S. Postal Service for the Purpose of Data Collection:…

This document contains four symposium papers on adult learning in the workplace. "The Relationship between Workplace Learning and Employee Satisfaction in Small Businesses" (Robert W. Rowden, Shamsuddin Ahmad) reports the results of a study of the nature and extent of HRD, level of job satisfaction among workers, and correlation between…

An empirical test of the service-profit chain in a large United Kingdom retail business explored how employee attitudes and behavior can improve customer retention and, consequently, company sales performance. Data were collected from 65,000 employees and 25,000 customers from almost 100 stores. The business collected customer satisfaction for…

This white paper highlights provisions of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), signed into law by President Clinton in 1998, and presents the resulting opportunities for The Alabama College System to broaden its role as a partner in redefining and advancing the state's workforce development system for the 21st century. The foreword points out the…

This study investigated adult students who completed an instructional program that included training in employability and job readiness. It identified and analyzed program completers' perceptions of the instruction they received and the employability skill levels and benefits gained as a result of their program participation. Data were collected…

This paper stems from an evaluation of Turkey's first microcredit project aimed specifically at women, which was carried out with data derived through the Foundation for the Support of Women's Work (FFSW)'s Management Information System (which tracks credit users and repayment performance), application forms from women who applied for and received…

This brief reports on the Ford Foundation's establishment of the Rural Community College Initiative (RCCI) for selected institutions in economically distressed areas of the Southeast, Deep South, Southwest, Appalachia, and western Indian reservations. This is the fourth report in a series by the RCCI Documentation Team. The RCCI program challenges…

Knowledge supply chains are market-driven, competency-based systems in which education and training are aligned to help employers, educators, workers, and students navigate more effectively in the global economy. Three key trends warrant attention in today's global economy: (1) knowledge and skill needs are escalating and changing rapidly; (2)…

It is well worth reiterating that motivation and participation of all citizens require a general, civic, and socioeconomic education open to all in order to become a reality. Admittedly, in most developing countries adults and young workers are still dramatically disadvantaged and marginalized, not to say ignored, on the educational and cultural…

In order to understand the factors which influence success or failure for adult students, a group of shop stewards attending a union training program were studied. The chief determinant of individual success was the attitude of the convenor, a higher level union official, who shaped behavior and attitudes toward learning. (IS)

Saudi Arabia is attempting to build an indigenous skilled labor force to meet manpower needs. The system includes five secondary vocational industrial schools, the Higher Technical Institute, prevocational and vocational training centers using competency-based, mediated instructional materials, and mobile training units for isolated areas. (SK)

Reports how Representative Don Fuqua (D.-FL) would improve future U.S. scientific and technical workforce by authorizing money for retraining math and science teachers, improving graduate training in science and engineering, passing the National Engineering and Science Manpower Act of 1982, and improving college laboratories. (DC)