Examines the social, economic, political, and philosophical influences on the development of Key Skills in Britain, particularly the work of R. H. Tawney. Describes their evolution into the current set (communication, number application, information technology, working with others, improving one's own learning and performance, problem solving) and…

Explores two cases of professional communication among United States and South American personnel in one multinational organization in Quito, Ecuador. Suggests that a mere taboo approach to teaching cross-cultural communication will not work. Finds that collaborative writing proved to be a good form of intercultural training for both United States…

Workplace training at the British offices of Readers' Digest is designed to improve staff skills in communicating with customers. Evaluation of workshops focused on spelling, grammar, and business writing shows that the company is achieving a return on its training investment. (SK)

Data from eight case studies demonstrate that competency-based training limits possibilities for creation of certain kinds of competence by emphasizing outcomes over processes and innovation. For example, national industry standards suggest that they are the only standards by which work can be done, denying other sources of standards. (Contains 33…

Analyzes advice giving in counseling within labor market training. Shows how a stepwise entry works in a setting in which a counselor's role is that of a facilitator of learning. (Author/VWL)

Describes the comprehensive Welsh system of education and training, including a national career information and guidance service. The system focuses on credit-based qualifications and a holistic approach to academic and vocational learning. (SK)

Thurow describes major forces that will radically change the shape of capitalism and global competition: fall of communism, shift to knowledge industries, demographic changes, communications and transportation technologies, and lack of a dominant world power. He suggests that, as the United States loses political and economic dominance, the nation…

Describes two projects: an employee development consortium of small and midsized enterprises in Nottinghamshire and the National Development Project, testing development strategies of further/higher education providers. The projects demonstrate the need for a wider view of workplace learning that recognizes the value of different types and styles,…

Declining popularity of behaviorism is due to social changes, the needs of capitalism, importance of worker ownership, and management attitude changes. Alternative models include action regulation theory, critical reflectivity perspective, and working class adult education approach. (SK)

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)