In education and the workplace, people are the most valuable resource. Developing human capital can produce competitive advantages for employers and employees. (SK)

Describes Alberta's registered apprenticeship plan (RAP), a three-year program in which students spend part of their time in school and part in industry as a registered apprenticeship. Compares RAP to the federal youth apprenticeship proposed in the United States and the European model. (JOW)

Robert B. Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor, and Daniel Goleman, researcher and author, debate the pros and cons of trends revealed by American Society for Training and Development's 1999 State of the Industry Report. (Author/JOW)

Part-time faculty-development programs should begin with an infrastructure specifying hiring, promotion, and salary criteria and course evaluation. Development should focus on providing faculty with a broader context, programmatic content when needed, training in instructional methods and technology, and a faculty "home." (SK)

To keep pace with dramatic changes in workforce requirements, the two-year college should not only focus on teaching, but also on the instruction of relevant and contemporary subjects. (Author)

Examines what is meant by good theory and theory-building research in human resource development (HRD). Discuses core knowns and unknowns in HRD theory building. Outlines two key challenges: dealing with the researcher-practitioner relationship and recognizing the value of multiple research paradigms. (SK)

Suggests that workplace literacy is a serious concern and most companies are doing nothing to address the problem. Discusses how several companies are dealing with the issue. (JOW)

Announces the decision of the first year the committee of the National Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award has accepted applications from the education and health care fields. Details how companies and associations are working with educational institutions to produce a more literate, technologically skilled work force. (JOW)

Theoretical research in HRD has established itself and is now at a point where many avenues exist for further contributions to the field. But what kinds of theoretical research appear to be needed at this stage in the development of HRD? This paper identifies areas in which further research in theory and theory building might be conducted.…

This article critiques the performance approach to HRD and proposes a new model that takes into account the deep complexities inherent in the human transaction of work. In critically examining the dominant performance paradigm, meanings of work are examined, illustrating that the desire to work extends beyond extrinsic considerations. That work…

The central economic competitiveness issue for the Obama administration is creating an aligned, 21st century public education system that prepares students,workers and citizens to triumph in the global skills race. On Jan. 20, 2009, the Obama administration will take command of the White House facing unprecedented challenges to the U.S. economy…

There is widespread agreement among policymakers, researchers and economists that in order for regions, states and the nation to compete in the new global economy, workers need to be educated, highly skilled, and ready to learn and adapt to the changing world. Such a workforce will enable greater innovation, higher quality, and the ability to…

Countries in the Arab region are faced with the challenge of developing their populations' skills and technical knowledge, or human capital, in order to compete in the 21st century global economy. The authors describe the education and labor market initiatives implemented or under way in four countries in the Arab region -- Lebanon, Oman, Qatar,…

"Linking Workforce Development to Economic Development: A Casebook for Community Colleges" is a compilation of best practice examples, which illustrate what it takes for community colleges to achieve their goal of helping people acquire education and skills, helping employers, supporting communities, and building the nation. The book is…

In the context of aging populations, governments in Australia and in other Western nations fear that slower growth in the numbers of people of working age (15-64 years) will have a dampening effect on economic growth. They are thus considering how to encourage older workers to remain in the workforce beyond the point at which many currently…