Rising competition in world and domestic markets for the past 2 decades has necessitated that U.S. companies undergo significant transformations to improve their performance with respect to a wide array of efficiency and quality indicators. Research on the transformations recently undertaken by some U.S. companies to boost performance revealed two…

This first volume in a four-volume study of industry- and education-driven skill standards in the United States and other countries describes current practice. Chapter I is the executive summary. Chapter II is an overview of historical and current issues that will affect a voluntary network of industry-based skill standards, competencies, and…

This second volume in a four-volume study of industry- and education-driven skill standards in the United States and other countries contains information on how the individual states have been involved in the development of skills standards related efforts. Section A presents information regarding how nine states--Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho,…

During 1996-97, state agencies in Washington worked to implement the state's High Skills, High Wages Plan for Workforce Training and Education, focusing on seven most urgently needed actions to ensure that the people of the state succeed in an economy that requires ever higher levels of skill and knowledge. The seven actions are the following: (1)…

During 1997-98, state agencies in Washington worked to implement the state's High Skills, High Wages Plan for Workforce Training and Education, focusing on seven most urgently needed actions to ensure that the people of the state succeed in an economy that requires ever higher levels of skill and knowledge. Progress made on seven actions included…

This document is a class simulation that details the work of a fictitious consulting firm that was challenged by a group of 10 doctors (who were each willing to commit $50,000) to study the feasibility of starting a company that would employ the greatest possible number of people from Monongalia and Preston counties in northern West Virginia. The…

This document highlights 101 partnerships developed as part of Ohio's welfare reform initiative, Ohio Works First (OWF). Section 1 deals with communication strategies: a new lexicon; interagency information exchange and confidentiality issues; intake, referral, and case management tools; and cross-agency communications. Section 2 describes…

This document contains four papers from a symposium on management development. "The Effect of Supervisor/Subordinate Relationship on Subordinate Performance, Role Ambiguity and Conflict, and Job Satisfaction" (Michael J. Nocera, Judith A. Kolb) finds that a strong perceived relationship with supervisors was negatively correlated with…

In Washington, urban centers enjoy rising wages and low employment; rural areas have stagnating wages and high unemployment. Most family-wage job opportunities are in occupations that require some postsecondary education but not a four-year degree. The shortage is most severe in the supply of skilled workers with vocational training. Technology…

In 1989-90, a survey was conducted of two-year colleges nationwide to determine their level of involvement in the delivery of employment, training, and literacy services to public sector agencies and business and industry. The study focused particularly on those services funded under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), the Job Opportunities…

This Skills Development Program (SDP) provides a generic set of actions employers could take to ensure that their organization has the work force skills necessary to compete globally today and tomorrow. The guide is organized by the 13 critical steps of the SDP: (1) determine if there is a need for improving workforce skills; (2) set specific…

In 1990, a national survey of two-year institutions revealed that among colleges operating Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) programs, the cost per participant was far below the national average for JTPA programs. However, interviews conducted with community colleges suggested that officials responsible for disbursing JTPA funds were not…

In the 1990s, vocational training must focus on improving the qualifications and competence of Europe's work force. The need for skilled labor and managerial staff will increase considerably in many European countries. As Europe moves toward economic, social, and political union, vocational education comes into the picture at four levels…

An emerging U.S. employment system is the Security, Employee Involvement, and Training (SET) system. The system is characterized by the following: (1) a high degree of employment security based upon flexible job assignment; (2) employee involvement in problem solving and continuous improvement; and (3) continuous training of all employees. Case…

In 1988, the Chancellor's Office of the California Community Colleges (CCC) established an Economic Development Program (EDP) to support community colleges' efforts to provide education, training, and technical services to business and industry. The EDP's mission was to establish model programs, demonstration projects, and college/business…