To employ scarce personnel and money to best advantage, company management must diagnose critical training needs and assign them priorities. A systems approach is recommended, which gives focus to training design while accommodating most organization training goals. Included are suggestions for system design, facility management, and cost…

Reports on the development and implementation of a network of trainer-change agents to improve the quality of services delivered by a state mental health system. The conceptual framework and the central change effort, a training-of-trainers strategy, are described in detail. (SK)

The author states that organizations should take on the task of preparing employees for the emotional upheavals that can accompany retirement because doing so pays off for both the company and the employee. He discusses adjustment problems and suggests content for sessions in a preretirement program. (MF)

Seminar report and recommendations of the Ontario Society for Training and Development's Professional Development Committee on competencies needed by professional training and development personnel, including checklists of skills and abilities in the various competency areas. (MF)

This article details the qualitative results of focus groups with adults who are visually impaired and received assistive technology (AT) training (n=55) and with AT trainers (n=48). Participants described the state of AT training at the beginning of the 21st century from their perspectives as students and teachers. (Contains 4 references.)…

Interviews and observations involving 20 coal miners and 7 trainers found the group constructed a community of practice that reinforced the culture of masculinity. Miners learned safety measures through experience and from coworkers. Trainers viewed their work as simulated environments and codified practices, which implicitly devalue experiential…

Workers in today's world need continual training to keep up with new technology and to learn new skills. This article looks at the people who provide that training--how they do it, who employs them, and how they were trained themselves. (Author)

The British training market has been booming due to international competition and changing attitudes of administrators. However, economic recession and varied levels of trainer competence are slowing growth. The future depends on training being acknowledged, understood, and supported as an integral part of company operations. (SK)

Describes a study that collected data on information needs and uses during Internet training from students in information networking classes at Indiana University. Information needs, events which led to the needs, and the sources used to resolve the needs were identified and categorized, and implications for Internet trainers are discussed.…

Describes the use of simulation games in cross-cultural training, noting that participants in these programs are usually adults. Highlights include a history of cross-cultural training; diversity training; learning processes; motivation; practice; shared experience; examples of simulation games used for cross-cultural training; and trainers who…

Overviews certification changes affecting lifeguard training, progressive swimming instructors, CPR and first aid training, canoeing and kayaking instructors, sailing instructors, water skiing instructors, and instructor trainers. Addresses how changes impact American Camping Association standards. Provides addresses of training organizations. (LP)

Describes a study conducted at an annual staff development conference to determine the needs of professional staff developers in British higher education. An overview of the research strategy, which was based on an action research model, is provided; the ranking of needs areas is discussed; and needs statements with justifications are appended.…

Describes a study of desirable components for undergraduate corporate trainer preparation programs. Responses from 323 of 1,093 people listed in the 1987-88 Senior Trainer Roster related to their level of education, major, kinds of training, training methods used, and perceptions of the appropriateness of competencies taught at college. (DMM)

Describes a computer simulation, CACTUS, that was developed in the United Kingdom to help police with command and control training for large crowd control incidents. Use of the simulation for pre-event planning and decision making is discussed, debriefing is described, and the role of the trainer is considered. (LRW)

Authors report on a survey of 193 training directors, which showed that they differed in terms of information searching techniques, sources, and types used to identify training needs. Torraco's reaction notes that scanning is important in developing training to improve performance. Authors' reply links training centrality to continuous learning…