Presents three views of adult development: (1) person-centered, focused on self-realization and based on humanistic psychology and liberalism; (2) production-centered, focused on organizational goals and based on behaviorism and libertarianism; and (3) principled problem solving, based on cognitive psychology, progressivism, and pragmatism.…

In this interview with the Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), the following issues are covered: workforce development, new areas of focus, transition from the old to the new system, community colleges and the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), short-term and long-term challenges, and other initiatives.…

Follows up on an article published in the Spring 1999 edition of Inquiry regarding the Work Keys system being advanced by several of the community colleges of Virginia as a means of assessing and developing occupational skills. Evaluates the Work Keys system relative to accepted curriculum design use in Virginia's business community. (VWC)

Reviews French government policies and initiatives in lifelong learning since the 18th century, including the current emphasis on labor force flexibility and individualization. Concludes that flexibility-based approaches may exacerbate inequality because of differing access to opportunities and different measures used for various target groups.…

Uncritical acceptance of the discourses of government economic policies is counterproductive to the development of teamwork and flexible skills due to the insecurity they create. Therefore, discourse analysis should be a crucial element in adult education and training. (SK)

Describes how developing countries are embracing the community college model of higher education focused on job training, older students, and close ties to business. (EV)

Reviews the history of workforce development in the United States and lists issues to frame public policy: governance structure, funding targets, quality measures, accountability, and data collection. Identifies current legislative initiatives: School-to-Work Opportunities Act, Goals 2000, and National Skills Standards Act. (SK)

Explores the impact of female participation in the labor force (FPLF) on female suicide attitudes using a national sample of 5,559 women. Significant bivariate relationship is indicated, though when controls are added for covariates, FPLF is not related to female suicide attitudes. Relates findings to the role conflict and role expansionist theory…

Schools need a Renaissance human-resources director to implement strategic staffing and fast-track teacher-recruitment plans. The HR director must attend to customer satisfaction, candidate supply, web-based recruitment possibilities, stabilization of newly hired staff, retention of veteran staff, utilization of retired employees, and latest…

Presents highlights of a panel discussion on workplace literacy at the Literacy in the 21st Century Research Conference (Edmonton, Alberta, October 1997). Participants from business, government, and university discussed Syncrude Canada's Workplace Literacy Program, implications of the International Adult Literacy Survey for the labor market, and…

A survey of 55 human resource development graduate programs uncovered great heterogeneity of program names, departmental affiliations, and specializations. Compared with a 1991 survey, master's enrollment declined, part-time study increased. Core curricula do not reflect current literature. (Contains 31 references. Includes "Invited Reaction" by…

Factor analysis was conducted of responses to a transformational leadership questionnaire from 326 work force education graduate students in the United States (exploratory analysis) and United Kingdom (cross-validation). Leadership behaviors were associated with positive learner outcomes. The number of factors was confirmed in replication but the…

The following trends facing the world of work have implications for human resource development: (1) the nature of work is changing, (2) the pace of change is accelerating, (3) the Web is a structural model of team rather than pyramid organization, (4) the bargaining power of the work force is rising, and (5) value exchanges are direct. (JOW)

Examination of the government role in labor force development in Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korean identified strategies and structures enabling the "East Asian Miracle" of economic development, including strong states with high autonomy regarding capital and labor, super-ministries linking institutions, and strong central control of…

This article presents the results of a qualitative study that examined the views and experiences of 12 large city employers of modern apprenticeships (MAs). Given the governments target that by 2004 at least 28 per cent of young people should enter an apprenticeship before the age of 22, it is imperative that large employers are fully involved in…