The scenarios project set out to develop a tool to improve understanding of vocational education and training (VET) systems in the linked contexts of economic and technological change; changes in society, work, and the labor market; and changing training/skills environment. Other key attempts at the European level to generate European scenarios…

This report highlights the Washington State work force training system's initiatives from July 1995 to June 1996 in the following areas: Performance Management and Accountability, School-to-Work Transition, competency-based education, linking training with economic development, public awareness, and one-stop career center system/collection of…

Business and industry are faced with enormous transition, and workforce development has become critical to competitiveness. Jobs requiring technical skills are expected to grow to 65 percent of the market, while unskilled, low-end wage jobs should shrink to just 15 percent. Estimates indicate that up to 75 percent of the existing workforce will…

The Annie E. Casey Foundation launched the eight-year, six-city demonstration project, Jobs Initiative (JI), in 1995 to provide support and assistance to community groups, employers, foundations, and community colleges helping disadvantaged, low-skilled workers secure family-supporting jobs. JI sites found that even during a time when employers…

This report informs readers on the state of regional vocational training reform in Russia and shares experiences on how present problems and challenges have been addressed by a joint international development project. The three chapters of Part I present information from the perspective of the European Training Foundation: "Introduction to…

This document is intended to provide updated information on the most important trends in the development of occupations and qualifications in Europe in the face of current demographic, social, economic, technical, environmental, and cultural challenges. It provides a general summary of the most important trends at the macro level, and makes…

This publication contains materials from a forum on the changing nature of work (CNW) that brought together researchers and research users to hear how to use findings to improve vocational education and training (VET) in Australia. An overview of the program and biographical information on presenters and panel members follow. The next section…

A study investigated 210 secondary vocational/technical education students' cognitive, affective, and behavioral responses to a skill assessment process. Students received feedback on their skill strengths and weaknesses and those skills in which they over- or under-estimated their abilities. Results from hierarchical multiple regression indicated…

Although the disappointing results of earlier ex-offender programs convinced many that "nothing works so let's just keep prisoners incarcerated longer," research in the 1980s and 1990s has shown that intensive pre-release employment training and post-release employment programs and support can cut the rate of recidivism. Current initiatives…

This document contains three papers on action learning. "Action Learning: Case Studies of Most Valued Learning and Application" (Suzanne D. Butterfield) reports on a qualitative study in which longitudinal data was collected from document analysis and first-line consulting managers who had participated in action learning. The study…

This symposium on leadership development consists of three presentations. "Organizational Performance: The Future Focus of Leadership Development Programs" (Doris B. Collins) reports research that analyzed 54 leadership studies from 1984-2000 and confirmed that organizations have begun to take a more systemic approach to leadership…

This document contains three papers on managing the human resource development (HRD) function. "The Relationship between Factors Impacted by the Current Economic Crisis and Human Resource Development Roles and Functions in Thailand" (Chiraprapha Tan Akaraborworn, Gary N. McLean) presents data indicating that the current economic crisis…

A research project studied in depth four organizations using organizational learning approaches to embed continuous learning within actual work processes. The most sustainable benefits, in terms of both individual and organizational needs, tended to result from "action" or "situated" learning that is informal and accrues…

In February 2003, 75 individuals representing business, labor, academia, government, workforce intermediaries, and other sectors participated in an assembly on the role of intermediaries in achieving worker success and business prosperity. The assembly statement outlined policies, approaches, and actions needed to ensure workers' access to…

New perspectives need to be gained on the roles of older adults and older workers in the new millenium. Because today's adult is healthier, policies concerning social security, retirement, and work need to be changed. There is a need for acceptance of various types of aging. Rather than mandating specific retirement, the individual should have…