Examines how prevalent the provision of pre-departure cross-cultural and language training is among American companies operating internationally, and whether U.S. companies still lag behind their German counterparts in offering this type of training before sending their employees overseas. Author/VWL)

Inadequate conceptions of the self underlie vocational education and training policy and instruction. The concept of a socially extended self, a social being who is complex and multifaceted, is incompatible with competency-based approaches to vocational education being used in Australia. (SK)

In Australia, apprentices and trainees can choose training providers using public funds to finance training. User choice raises policy issues in several areas: access in remote locations, impact on equity groups, competitiveness of training markets, and tensions among stakeholders (government, employers, providers, apprentices). (SK)

Qualitative and quantitative data suggest that over the 10 years of Australia's National Training Reform Agenda initiatives, women in female-dominated occupations in nonprofessional, nonmanagerial jobs have fared less well than other workers. The goal of training for transferable skills has not been achieved for these women. (SK)

Reports on focus group discussions with managers, bartenders, waitstaff, and security staff of retail alcohol establishments. Purpose of the focus groups was to identify beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, and practices among management and staff to guide development of training programs. Results indicate that, compared to management, staff had…

The exploratory nature of much research on organizational training makes case studies vital to the construction of knowledge and theory. However, case study research poses problems in terms of access to organizations, data collection, confidentiality, and the coordination of multiple studies. (SK)

Changes in the nature of unskilled work are reinforcing barriers to workers' access to training and increasing requirements for training and development. Until individual and structural barriers to work-based learning are eliminated, policies stressing individual responsibility for learning will only reinforce inequalities. (Contains 40…

Surveys of Belgian (n=1,224) and Spanish (n=1,000) companies showed that they tend not to use universities as continuing education providers. A primary reason is universities do not promote themselves as sources of high-quality, business-relevant training. Universities should make continuing education a core mission. (SK)

Residents of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota must deal with joblessness, alcoholism, housing shortages, and rampant disease. To assist with these problems, the Lakota Fund provides training and loans to those wanting to start small businesses. (JOW)

Interviews with 56 managers and 85 ethnic minority trainees in Britain found that ethnic minorities are less successful in employment outcomes. Training providers often fail to recognize and respond to disadvantage, and contractual arrangements with Training and Enterprise Councils inhibit positive action. Increased policy reliance on market…

Outlines the interrelationship between telematic learning support and organizational culture of the workplace, defines occupational learning and types of organizationally generated knowledge, identifies concepts of organizational culture, and assesses the argument that telematics can effect changes in culture. Contextualizes these issues in new…

Camp health care staff can give basic health education to counselors, covering daily hygiene for young children, basic understanding of common chronic illnesses, observational skills to detect illnesses, elementary public health tutoring, and OSHA medical standards. Health personnel should be included in planning precamp and in-service counselor…

Although a Canadian training project was conducted by a union with a progressive philosophy, it construed unemployment as a personal rather than a public issue. Analysis using a social/cultural capital framework uncovered four areas of tension: organizational structure, educational content, diversity, and the "good employee." (Contains…

Recent criticisms cite the European Union's inability to acknowledge inequities in vocational training for migrant/minority communities. Despite positive action strategies, government funding still tends to favor traditional providers. Adult education can make a contribution toward the well-being of the minorities of Europe. (SK)

Evaluation of the effectiveness of the Kmart Employment for Youth job preparation program showed that the 43 African American students ages 16-19 gained confidence in such employable skills as the ability to plan and develop a career, to make decisions, and to find a job. (JOW)