Describes research studies focused on community college workforce development efforts. Displays the extent of training needs in general and specific workforce areas. Results were pooled into eight workplace skills areas using a weighting percentage procedure, with computer related, interpersonal/team, and critical thinking skills emerging as the…

Includes " A Bridge Too Far: Democracy, Development and Education in Rural South Africa (Parker); "Khuphuka: A Skills Training and Employment Programme in Durban, South Africa" (Comninos); "Reconstruction and Development Programme and Tertiary Institutions in South Africa"; and "Report on the First Session of the…

Discusses the challenges faced by English-as-a-Foreign-Language teachers in the Arabian Gulf. Seeks to identify structural and contextual issues that have contributed to the present state of language education there. Focuses on four central contributing aspects; contextual framework, human resource development, systems and standards, and research…

Argues that, despite doubts created by the "dot-com" crash, the field of information technology (IT) is still crucial. Credentialing and certification are in demand by adults in the transitional workforce who require tangible results in a short time frame. Suggests that even non-IT companies are dependent on those in IT to run the nerve-centers of…

Offers a comprehensive view of the information technology (IT) workforce in the U.S., based on a report by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA). The report quantifies the size and scope of the IT workforce, its geographical distribution, skills preferences, future demand, and predicted shortfalls. (AUTH/NB)

Discusses the institutional inventory completed at Schoolcraft College (Michigan), which focused on how to learn or teach necessary skills, the skills that are important for success, and the best way to assess skills necessary for competency. Reports that most stakeholders agreed on the skills that are important for success, but they held various…

Discussion of coaching as a human resources managerial and evaluative tool focuses on the multigenerational range of employees and their chronological and cultural preferences for different leadership styles and team relationships. Suggests that consideration of attitudinal differences can result in a set of coaching foci to achieve organizational…

As the economy has shifted focus from production to service to information, work force composition has diversified, and the scope of required skills has expanded. The classroom of the future must integrate academic and technical knowledge and skills within an applied vocational learning model. This article explains this process. Includes five…

Studies indicate that the workforce in 2000 will be characterized by a culturally diverse population composed of an increasing number of women and minorities. U.S. businesses are beginning to realize the challenges they face to recruit and manage the trained workforce they will need in the future. (Author/JOW)

As Henry Adams realized a century ago, a universal education system of the highest quality is fundamental to development of our economy, quality of our lives, and health of our democracy. Although business has finally realized its obligation to education, the real leadership must come from principals that encourage the public to expect even more…

In multinational organizations, effective localization means that a local citizen fills a job with sufficient competence. Three considerations are the nature of the organization, the capabilities of the individual, and the capacity to train in particular skills. Obstacles may be inappropriate job specifications and the attitudes of both local and…

Presents a case study of how action research can be used to design a career development program based on the principles of change used in organization development. Steps in the model are data collection, analysis, feedback, program draft, recommendations, and evaluation. (CH)

Examination of best practices for training and school-to-work transition in Germany, Sweden, Japan, and Singapore revealed commonalities: national full-employment policies; commitment to high-skill, high-wage economy through investment in education and training; continual upgrading of worker skills; and diffusion of costs across the public and…

Implementation of a career ladder in the Cave Creek Unified School District (Arizona), with a five-factor teacher performance evaluation and accompanying placement algorithm successfully dispersed teachers across plan levels. After three years, there have been no teacher grievances filed, and teachers feel ownership and authority over the career…

Discusses the restructuring of secondary vocational education in Hungary through the World Bank project. Highlights include human resources development; occupational training improvement; levels of intervention of the World Bank project; the technical assistance, equipment, and fellowship programs; educational policies and quality; and future…