Studies indicate that the workforce in 2000 will be characterized by a culturally diverse population composed of an increasing number of women and minorities. U.S. businesses are beginning to realize the challenges they face to recruit and manage the trained workforce they will need in the future. (Author/JOW)

As Henry Adams realized a century ago, a universal education system of the highest quality is fundamental to development of our economy, quality of our lives, and health of our democracy. Although business has finally realized its obligation to education, the real leadership must come from principals that encourage the public to expect even more…

In multinational organizations, effective localization means that a local citizen fills a job with sufficient competence. Three considerations are the nature of the organization, the capabilities of the individual, and the capacity to train in particular skills. Obstacles may be inappropriate job specifications and the attitudes of both local and…

Presents a case study of how action research can be used to design a career development program based on the principles of change used in organization development. Steps in the model are data collection, analysis, feedback, program draft, recommendations, and evaluation. (CH)

Examination of best practices for training and school-to-work transition in Germany, Sweden, Japan, and Singapore revealed commonalities: national full-employment policies; commitment to high-skill, high-wage economy through investment in education and training; continual upgrading of worker skills; and diffusion of costs across the public and…

Implementation of a career ladder in the Cave Creek Unified School District (Arizona), with a five-factor teacher performance evaluation and accompanying placement algorithm successfully dispersed teachers across plan levels. After three years, there have been no teacher grievances filed, and teachers feel ownership and authority over the career…

Discusses the restructuring of secondary vocational education in Hungary through the World Bank project. Highlights include human resources development; occupational training improvement; levels of intervention of the World Bank project; the technical assistance, equipment, and fellowship programs; educational policies and quality; and future…

The agricultural work force includes farmers and farm laborers, agricultural institution employees, and agriculture students. Their varied human resource development needs must be met within a context of global forces affecting agriculture and on various levels: policy (information needs), institutional (strengthening programs, improving access),…

The career education movement of the 1970s was based on the premise of preparation for career success and motivation for educational success. What evidence exists of its effectiveness shows that it may be a workable formula to apply to today's demands for work-related educational reform. (SK)

The federal proposal for Job Training 2000 is criticized for ignoring 30 years of job training programs. It would shift responsibility among existing programs but would not provide needed resources to train more workers. (SK)

Major issues affecting the workplace of the twenty-first century include productivity growth, globalization, resistance to change, worker alienation, and telecommunications. Opposing views of technology are that (1) it will improve the economy and create jobs or (2) the majority of new jobs will not require high skills. (SK)

Guidance counselors should be authorized to place at-risk learners in nonconventional educational programs to help them acquire the basic skills for functioning productively in society. Counselors must emphasize the remedial individual and guide educators away from the acceptance of failure for 25-35 percent of their students. (MLH)

Answers questions about tech prep: How will it help at-risk students? What are ideal tech prep/associate degree (TPAD) programs? How do applied academics fit in? and What elements contribute to successful TPAD programs? (SK)

Describes Bellevue Community College's (Washington) use of earnings data and partnerships to respond to a regional need for qualified technology employees and to develop new high-wage programs. Identifies issues that emerged in response to a state performance-funding measure tied to professional/technical graduates' earnings. (VWC)

Examines performance-based human-resource-development (HRD) practices and their relevance for student affairs. Provides a general overview of HRD, including discussion of the newest concepts in the field. Offers a model and tools for applying performance-based HRD within higher education institutions. (Author/MKA)