In the middle western area of Pennsylvania, four model programs have been developed at the high school level to provide occupational orientation and preparation for the educable mentally retarded: The Community Based Work-Study Program, The Academic Special Education Program, The External Vocational Program, and The Internal Vocational Program.…

The guide for an inservice course in career guidance is presented in 15 units designed to be used together as a complete course or selectively as learning modules for developing new skills or reviewing previously learned concepts. Topics covered include: philosphies of work and vocational guidance, vocational guidance need and status, utilization…

Changes in the labor market and rising expectations of employers, government, and job seekers are putting enormous pressure on non-profit, community based organizations (CBOs) in the field of work force development. Providing intensive services for hard-to-serve populations costs more than serving clients who are more "job ready," yet increased…

Job placement, unemployment insurance, and active labor market policy in Germany were reviewed. The following were among the review's main conclusions: (1) measures of active and passive labor market policy are still regarded as important to combating unemployment and improving the matching function of the German labor market; (2) the many…

An evaluation was conducted of the Hawaii Food Stamp Employment and Training/Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Program Conformance Demonstration, known as PRIDE (Positive Response in Developing Employment). The impact analysis examined client participation patterns, services, and employment outcomes. A pre-post/demonstration-comparison site…

In the face of the emergence of a global, technology-driven, skills-based economy and a continuing shortage of skilled labor in Minnesota, a study examined the development of a world-class training system for the state's workers and businesses. The study found the following: (1) there is an urgent need to address the high-skill needs of both…

A study examined processes of state training authorities, group training companies (GTCs), training colleges, and employers to ensure that apprentices/trainees (A/Ts) who are suspended or terminated due to lack of work have access to on-the-job training. Data on apprenticeship and traineeship commencements and cancellations were collected from…

Counselor trainees learn about various theories, models, and career assessment measures during their training. However, the transition to practicum and internship often challenges trainees to decide when to apply career theories and measures to specific problems. One proposal is for counselor educators to adopt a taxonomic approach for teaching…

Pittsburgh Public Schools' student placement coordinator describes their program to help secondary students and school leavers with cooperative, part-time, and later full-time job placement, using behavior modification and cooperative education. Includes program organization, use of paraprofessionals, funding, and the importance of employer…

The intent of this manual is to provide some templates and direction to schools that are looking for ideas of how to incorporate work experience into their curriculum for youth with disabilities. Hamilton Middle School served as a pilot site for one of the Rural Institute Transition Projects from 2006-2008. The school administration eagerly…

The five matrices in this volume are designed to assist states in coordinating their Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) programs. The matrices, each organized around a theme, summarize key elements of a variety of federal programs. Matrix A features the main programs of human services, labor, and education agencies that are most critical to…

Ireland's program of specific skills training (SST) Objective 1 courses, which are designed to train/retrain the labor force required for implementation of Ireland's Industry and Services Operational Programme, was evaluated by analyzing program expenditure reports and participant profiles, surveying a random sample of 101 employers, and visiting…

This annual report describes activities and accomplishments of the Pennsylvania Council on Vocational Education (PACVE). It begins with letters from the: Chair of PACVE, Governor, Secretary of Education, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, and Director of the Bureau of Vocational-Technical Education. Other contents include listings…

The Student's Ultimate Career Coursework, Employment and Student Services (SUCCESS) Handbook project was undertaken to identify student support services available through the California Community Colleges (CCC), increase student retention among special needs vocational education students, and identify common barriers to employment. The project…

Transitioning Vocational Services (TVS) meets the career exploration, training, and placement requirements of students with special needs in Illinois High School Districts 211 and 214. It serves students enrolled in special education who require assistance with the transition to postsecondary training and/or employment. TVS targets wards of the…