Occupation-specific education in high school lowers the dropout rate and increases wages and employment when training-related jobs are obtained. Unfortunately, most vocational graduates lack such employment. State funding formulas for local vocational programs should be based on the school's success at job placement, not on recruitment for…

Belying the stereotypes, vocational schools, with the help of business, are developing better-trained, more productive workers. Improved vocational education programs can make academics relevant, reduce the dropout rate, encourage postsecondary education, provide jobs, and retrain older workers. (SK)

Describes a program through which employees were assigned to positions other than their own for job training purposes. The benefits of such a cross-training program, factors that should be considered prior to program planning, a model for effective implementation, and follow-up to promote retention of new job skills are covered. (KRN)

Discusses the educational system's ability to meet the lifelong learning needs of the American workforce. Proposes strategies to redesign the system to ensure lifelong learning, respond to the changing structure of the workplace, and mainstream workforce training programs. Explores the use of transcripts with training programs to formalize…

Describes the importance of integrating multicultural education into vocational and technical education. Argues that the workforce will be increasingly diverse and that vocational and tech-prep programs provide a natural setting for cultivating the ability to work with diversity. Highlights the role of faculty in enhancing multiculturalism. (17…

This paper examines curricular concepts that should be pursued to prepare students for employment; reviews assumptions about higher learning that hinder curricular innovations; and explores curriculum strategies with regard to content, organization, and didactics. Emphasis is on approaches to establishing new curricula to meet changing labor…

Community colleges should carefully assess their role in the nation's economic development and consider redefining their missions to reflect labor force development needs faced by society. Joining forces with business and industry and working more closely with government-driven training programs may provide new resources to support the entire…

The School to Work Opportunities Act is a comprehensive approach to work-based learning through integrating academic and vocational education, integrating school- and work-based learning, and linking secondary and postsecondary education. The most critical challenge is finding enough employers to provide workplace experiences for students. (SK)

Reviews Sweden's national development strategy that strives for full employment. Discusses the implications of job training in internal labor markets for the Rehn-Meidner model of economic stabilization. (SK)

IBM's keys to a productive, diverse work force are (1) recognizing diversity as an asset; (2) cultivating diversity within the company; and (3) addressing personal and professional needs of employees. The result is an employee population that reflects society and an organizational culture that respects individual differences. (SK)

Tech prep is a series of courses and work experiences that prepare students for postsecondary education or work; often, two years of secondary and two years of postsecondary education are involved. Existing programs show increases in achievement, lower dropout rates, and higher enrollment in community colleges. (SK)

Discusses the need for lifelong learning to maintain a presence in a world economy. Looks at the widening gap between rich and poor and its relation to educational level and suggests that more emphasis must be placed on upgrading the skills of blue collar workers. (JOW)

Critiques labor force planning techniques and suggests ways to improve decision making for resource allocation. Argues that the basic premise of such planning--balancing supply and demand--may be faulty. (SK)

Examines the growth of higher education in small nations. Contends that systems of higher education are often established first to provide teachers for elementary and secondary schools. Asserts that small nations are beginning to develop networks of cooperating institutions of higher education to share expertise and resources. (CFR)

"Schools and Businesses Need to Work together to Close the 'Job Skills Gap'" (Cortina) discusses Los Angeles efforts to implement recommendations of the Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills. "Employer-Sponsored Education Is a Win-Win Situation for Both Businesses and Employees" (Lipshutz) describes a…