Germany's Dual System of apprenticeship and training has been criticized for obsolescence and social segmentation. Some advocate a more flexible approach to improve training programs. Although new types of training are emerging, the lower end of the qualifications ladder is being neglected. (Contains 60 references.) (SK)

A survey of 123 fire department employees found that years of service influenced overall job satisfaction and satisfaction with supervision, job content, departmental relations, and training. Those most satisfied were in the earliest years of service. Satisfaction with departmental relations received the lowest ratings. (SK)

Personal and social skills development has been an element of British youth training programs since the 1970s. An expanded practice model has been developed that describes input (personal, material, organizational), throughput (interpersonal and person-organization interactions), and output (personal and organizational outcomes) for both academic…

In the early 1990s, the focus of U.S. educational reform shifted toward training and the connection between education and economic competitiveness. A new systemic approach to vocational education was sought. Numerous barriers prevented school-to-work from becoming a large-scale reform system; more flexible solutions may be needed. (SK)

A review of rehabilitation, job training, and educational programs available to inmates in Nigerian prisons finds that they are inadequate to prepare prisoners for postprison life. Recommendations include more part-time instructors, diversification of vocational education, establishment of library services, and focus on lifelong learning. (SK)

Of 1,740 displaced workers in 1982, 387 responded to a 1992 survey. Of the 34 who were retrained, 27 had a high school education or higher, suggesting that postdisplacement job training should be targeted to workers with higher education levels. Others should first be provided with basic education. (Contains 44 references.) (SK)

A study of on-the-job training for 36 Dutch call center trainees and 46 new post office clerks found that training goals were only partly achieved. Self-efficacy, prior experience with tasks, management support, and workload were the most powerful influences on the effectiveness of training. (SK)

Comparison of U.S. and British systems of postcompulsory education leads to reflections on how to achieve a unified system in Britain. Possibilities include requiring education to age 18 and having a single qualification at that age. (SK)

Finnish job seekers (n=559) were followed up after 1 year (n=401) after 84.3% participated in guidance courses, subsidized employment, vocational training, or some combination. Guidance courses enhanced reemployment. None of the interventions increased job-seeking activity. Training temporarily decreased psychological distress. Deteriorating…

A food service director for a YMCA camp offers advice on conducting yearly in-house training for camp cooks. Training resources could include a camp-specific training manual, training videos, training guidebooks, and demonstration of kitchen equipment. Health department issues should be covered during training. Kitchen resources from the American…

Discusses the Michigan Technical Education Center (M-TEC) at Bay de Noc Community College (Michigan), which was created to alleviate a local skilled worker shortage. Employers have responded well to the M-TEC program, which offers customized, technical training at times convenient to students. An 89% increase in number of workers trained was seen…

Explores outcomes for 59 women who attended long term substance abuse treatment in a women's facility that emphasized employment and economic self sufficiency. Results revealed that reductions in substance abuse were associated with an increase in economic self sufficiency. Additionally, women living in drug free social environments had high rates…

This study examines the effect of transfer variables on trainee characteristics, instructional satisfaction, and organizational factors of perceived learning and training transfer made by a group of trainees who attended a financial training program conducted for a Korean conglomerate. Data analyses revealed several variables in the three domains…

The 2004 State of the Union address included an announcement that $250 million was being allocated to community colleges for workforce development programs. This indication of support was good news in light of the recent trends for level funding or cutting back on educational programs, and demonstrates the perceived benefits of workforce…

The broad aims of this study are to gain insight into employees' on-the-job learning activities to help them improve their on-the-job learning. The authors define on-the-job learning styles and operationalize the concept to include both mental and overt learning styles and both interpersonal and intrapersonal learning styles. Organizations and…