This book provides an overview of existing human resource conditions in rural America; examines key economic, social, and technological forces shaping the future viability of rural areas; describes human capital issues for rural women and minority groups; and outlines strategies to strengthen rural human capital resources. Chapters are: (1)…

This document is intended to generate discussion about the plans of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority for developing a National Qualifications Framework. The document begins with an explanation of the qualifications framework in Maori and in English. A guide to reading the document points out its organization and the inclusion of diagrams…

Upward mobility programs in the service sector for low-skilled, economically disadvantaged, and dislocated or displaced workers promote employment security, career development, and productivity. Two basic types of upward mobility programs are basic and job-specific skills training. Although 60-80 percent of all employer-sponsored formal training…

This volume, Interim Report No. 1 in a 3-year study, recommends that employers who want to enlarge the pool of applicants for entry-level career-oriented jobs give serious attention to "vestibule training." The volume is divided into two parts: report and case studies. The report suggests that vestibule training programs can provide job candidates…

In 1988 SPD1, a division of Motorola, began an extensive 4-year endeavor to transform itself into an organization built on excellence and customer satisfaction. SPD1 contracted with Merex Corporation to provide three services that would enable employees to take on their new responsibilities more effectively. Merex conducted Skills Enhancement…

Initially, Wisconsin Works (W-2) emphasized moving people from welfare to W-2 and employment. Eventually, recognition of the important role of education and training in moving families to self-sufficiency was renewed. The goal of W-2 is to connect its broad client population (only 17% of whom have a high school diploma) with appropriate work or…

A recent study of work skill competitiveness and overall national competitiveness worldwide revealed that 17 countries are more competitive than Australia. Some countries have a relative resource advantage and will be able to extend access to education and training more effectively than Australia will, and some countries have targeted education…

This document contains four papers from a symposium on innovation and creativity and their relationship to human resource development (HRD). "Intrapreneurial Programs and Their Impact on Sales, Profit, and Return to Investors" (Melissa H. Marcus, Dennis G. Tesolowski, Clinton H. Isbell) reports on a study in which 100 of 217 randomly…

Designed to assist two-year colleges in increasing their level of involvement in the delivery of services under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), this report describes the JTPA, reviews the role of two-year colleges in JTPA service delivery, and provides information on fiscal year (FY) 1991 JTPA funding availability and levels. Following a…

In 1989, in an effort to prepare the Texas economy for successful global competition, the Texas legislature mandated regional Quality Workforce Planning for vocational-technical education, calling on educators and employers to form training partnerships to strengthen the state's work force. In response to this legislation, 9 of Texas's 24 planning…

A national strategy for human resource development is urgently needed to meet the challenges posed by demographic changes, global competition, accelerating technological change, low levels of adult literacy, and outmoded educational practices and standards. While the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act could serve as the cornerstone of…

In one of a series of hearings held in communities around the nation on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965, the Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met to hear testimony from higher education administrators and others from the state of North Carolina. The witnesses addressed a full range of issues concerning higher…

This report summarizes and assesses the planning and first-year implementation of the Industrial Technology Program created through a partnership between South Shore Vocational Technical High School (SSVT) in Hanover, Massachusetts, and Procter & Gamble (P&G). It is a guide for the development of effective education/industry partnerships.…

New Chance was designed as a research and demonstration program to improve the economic status and general well-being of highly disadvantaged young women and their children. The program was directed toward mothers aged 16 to 22 who were high school dropouts and receiving welfare. Sixteen sites in 10 states that had some prior experience in serving…

This pamphlet is a four-step blueprint for a school-to-work system for getting students ready for work. Step one proposes that every school-to-work system be guided by the following principles: (1) encourage participants to attain high academic standards; (2) encourage students to stay in school; (3) link classroom curriculum to work-site…