Adults who desire to increase their education need to find courses and programs that meet their needs, time schedules, and financial means. Increasingly, courses for adults will be conducted on the World Wide Web. Many colleges are conducting courses on the Web, and many adults are discovering that, after trying such a course, they actually like…

This guidebook presents data from a two-part study that reviewed existing literature on soft work skills, defined soft skills, and determined their importance to employers. The study also identified programs that were teaching those skills. Researchers contacted 90 organizations, asking for detailed written materials about themselves. The 53 that…

A survey of 10,739 employers (37 percent rate of return) was conducted in Washington state from July through September 1999 to determine training and skill needs of employers and the capacity of the state's training programs to meet those needs. In addition, research was conducted through data matching of unemployment insurance and training…

The percentage of adults with high school diplomas is higher today than 10 years ago in every Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) state, but most SREB states will not reach the goal of 90 percent of all adults with high school diplomas or equivalent by 2000. The change is the result of state and local efforts to identify and attract more…

This report reviews the accomplishments of the Timber Retraining Benefits (TRB) program of Washington's 32 two-year colleges. These colleges served 1,651 TRB workers in 1997-98, and 7,000 workers since the program inception in 1991. The report, based on data from college enrollment records and unemployment insurance system data, provides detailed…

This handbook, which is intended to assist staff at Neighborhood Networks centers who are responsible for helping unemployed or low-income individuals make the transition from public assistance to self-sufficiency, outlines a 13-step approach to the design and delivery of job readiness programs. The handbook may be used as a guide to direct…

Research on informal learning in the workplace suggests several definitions, including that informal learning is a process of learning that takes place in everyday experience, often at subconscious levels, and that it is unique to, and rests in the hands of, the learner. Research supports introducing informal learning not as a replacement for…

Stagnant or declining wages for less-educated workers make policies to upgrade the job market options for low wage workers an urgent priority. One in three low wage workers lives in a low income family. The link between low basic skills and low wages is strong. No single standard of minimum skill requirements applies to all middle income jobs, and…

Since vocational education and training (VET) have a very special focus on workforce development and economic growth, economic trends and political context are important. One cause of the perceived problem of insufficient growth in the national economy is VET provision quality and/or quantity. Relationship among governmental and government-related…

A national survey obtained information from students who undertook vocational education and training (VET) during 1998 at a Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institute in Australia. Data came from graduates (students who completed their course and graduated with a qualification from a course) and module completers (students who successfully…

Millions of Americans work hard every day but struggle to support their families on low wages. Millions more have recently moved from welfare to work, but have been unable to escape poverty. Altogether, according to the U.S. Labor Department, more than six million Americans are counted among the working poor. Meanwhile, critical industries like…

This bulletin is one of a series reporting the findings of investigations undertaken during 1936-37 under the Project in Research in Universities of the Office of Education. The project was financed under the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935; and conducted in accordance with administrative regulations of the Works Progress…

Upgrading workers' skills to ensure continued regional economic growth was the theme emerging from a three-day Appalachian regional conference. Participants discussed problems and made recommendations in four workshops: Future Jobs in Appalachia; Directions for Vocational Education; State Training to Support Economic Development; and Improving…

The heaviest burden of unemployment is borne by youth from minority groups, families with poverty-level incomes, and both central city and rural areas. Schools are in a unique and advantageous position to improve the preparation and prospects of unemployed youth. (Author/GC)

Describes the evolution of Workers' Universities (WUs) as institutions for the socioeconomic and cultural education of Yugoslavian workers. Discusses the administration, financing, and accomplishments of WUs, which, because of their focus on adult education and the education/work relationship, have become centers for educational innovation. (SK)