As part of a larger research project on workplace learning, a study examined learning at work as it is experienced among product planners in Finland. The study focused on three questions: (1) What kind of experience do employees interpret as learning? (2) What kind of meanings do employees give their action and learning individually and together?…

A study explored the mechanisms used by adults in Australia and Korea to keep their skills current or to enhance their range of skills. Data were gathered through recent research reports and unpublished unemployment and training data. The study identified areas of the vocational education and training systems in the two countries that are…

This book proposes the possibility of "extraordinary change" in individuals and organizations and suggests a source of "boundless energy" for bringing those changes into being. That source is freed by removing internal barriers to change within oneself. It provides personal experiences of transformational learning to introduce…

To explore options to establish Federal Individual Training Accounts (ITAs), a study reviewed Pennsylvania's Individual Learning Accounts, Cedar Company's Individual Learning Accounts, ITAs under the Workforce Investment Act, and the United Kingdom's Individual Learning Accounts. ITAs were defined as a base amount of resources--dollars or…

This book analyzes vocational education and training (VET) systems in seven advanced industrial countries (AICs) to determine institutional arrangements for skills creation most promising in attaining the learning society. The AICs are France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States, and Sweden. Chapter 1 discusses special problems of…

This document contains three papers on evaluation in human resource development (HRD). "Utilization of Corporate University Training Program Evaluation" (Christopher F. Bober) reports on a study that examined how training program evaluation results are being utilized in corporate universities and determined that the following seven…

This innovative session used two "key moments" to interpret an action research case study of the ongoing reorganization of the Belgian Tax Ministry. Both the research and the session used a social constructivist framework. The reorganization consisted of these phases: contracting, exploratory, in-depth, advisory, implementation of the…

A study assessed the formulas used to distribute funds to the states under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) 1998. It identified mismatches that might exist between the formulas and WIA's program goals and populations served and identified where the formulas are most vulnerable to wide fluctuations in funding levels from year to year. Issues…

This final report discusses the outcomes of a project that developed, demonstrated, evaluated, and disseminated information about a specialized inservice training model to prepare early interventionists, special education teachers, and related service personnel to provide family-centered programming to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who are…

The Tasmanian (Australia) Office of Youth Affairs and Family conducted consultations concerning issues impacting young people living in rural and isolated areas. Eight workshops specifically for youth were attended by 123 young people. Five community forums were attended by 25-30 participants each. The difficulties of living in isolated situations…

This book is intended to enable educators to more fully implement the concept of leadership capacity in schools and districts. It begins by outlining the five major prerequisites for high leadership capacity: (1) skillful participation in the work of leadership; (2) inquiry-based use of data to inform decisions and practices; (3) broad involvement…

A major weakness in the funding base for skill development in Australia arises from a declining investment in training by key stakeholders--employers. Australia is spending less on training and creating fewer high skill jobs than comparable countries and forcing individuals to take greater financial responsibility for their own development. Forces…

The General Accounting Office (GAO) surveyed officials in nine federal agencies regarding the following aspects of the employment and training programs they administered: funding levels; types and numbers of participants; services provided; and outcome measures. The 9 agencies were administering 44 programs providing a range of employment and…

This publication, one of a series designed to help policymakers and TANF [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families] agency personnel, offers a baseline for understanding the challenge of serving persons who are being forced off welfare roles but who are hard to place in employment. The following topics are covered: (1) policy issues (who should be…

This paper describes how one Professional Development School (PDS) partnership successfully implemented a comprehensive integrated services approach that promoted interprofessional development and multidisciplinary leadership. Research suggests that collaboration is necessary if teachers, professional support staff, administrators, parents, and…