This document is a workbook that describes how youth practitioners, Workforce Investment Act (WIA) entities, policymakers, funders, and others can use the Promising and Effective Practices Network (PEPNet) to improve the field of youth employment and youth development. The workbook begins with an introduction to PEPNet, which is a framework for…

This paper continues a long-standing process, expressed in current practices of reauthorizing federal legislation every 5 years, of examining the rationale for federal involvement in occupational (vocational) education. Past discussions of this issue have come to a broad set of conclusions that the federal government should fund what states cannot…

A followup study collected employment data from masters and post-masters degree holders from the Department of Instructional Systems, Leadership, and Workforce Development, Mississippi State University, between 1996-2000. Data from 123 questionnaires were analyzed using percentages, means, correlation statistics, analysis of variance, and…

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) makes it possible to build human capital resources by providing employment services and training to youth and adult dislocated workers. Such services are particularly needed in the rural South, where those affected by welfare reform have few job skills or educational credentials. WIA calls for the…

This document contains four symposium papers on assessing employee performance. In "Influence of Liking and Similarity on Multi-rater Proficiency Ratings of Managerial Competencies" (Reid A. Bates), the pattern of correlations identified between raters, independent variables, and different competencies suggests that raters may react…

This report describes some economic development efforts of the 32 tribal colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. Although the data needed for a comprehensive analysis of the economic impact of tribal colleges are not available, the report argues that the colleges affect local community development on many levels. Specific data…

This strategic plan for the University of Hawaii Community Colleges includes a contextual study, supported by data from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education (NCPPHE). Statistics include: (1) Hawaii ranked with the top states in high school completion (93%), but 18-24 year olds enrolling in college in the top states was 42%,…

This paper contains a transcript of the testimony of Robert C. Gross, representing state employment services program and unemployment compensation agencies, before the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources and Education and the Workforce. According to the testimony, the publicly funded work force system has…

The nonnational population and labor force in the 15 European Union (EU) member states were characterized from the standpoints of size and structure, and the labor market conditions faced by nationals and nonnationals were compared. In 1995, the nonnational labor force in the EU totaled approximately 7.8 million; nearly 3 million were citizens of…

This interim report presents the framework for classifying competency-based initiatives developed by the NPEC (National Postsecondary Education Cooperative) Working Group. Section 1 presents a structure for classifying competency initiatives based upon student progression into, within, and from postsecondary education. Key applications of…

The position is taken in the article that the "School-to-Work" initiative not be too narrowly defined to vocational/technical institutions to the exclusion of two-year/community colleges. Examples of early efforts to initiate the program are cited that seem to indicate that such could be the case. The author cites the range of students…

Contains nine articles relating group work technology to organization development. Overviews group work and organization development and discusses human resource development. Reports on group process consultation and describes the Nominal Group technique in organizational needs assessment. Discusses group dynamics in an industrial setting and…

Argues that new patterns of trade and production combined with an emphasis on a knowledge-based economy/society make it imperative that Canada upgrade its educational system. Specifically notes that several growing and dominant industries (microelectronics, biotechnology, telecommunications) require a high-tech skilled labor force. (MJP)

Maintains that working class elementary schools in England enjoyed popular support due to their subordination to the needs of wartime national efficiency. Argues that this led directly to a postwar increase in vocational education. Disputes the claim that the 1918 Educational Act produced no discernible results. (MJP)

Minority participation in the workforce, and by extension in vocational education, is increasingly important to the economic welfare of the United States. Describes a conference focusing on minority issues and concerns in vocational education related to programs, students, staff, and research. Recommends development of role models, funding, and…