The article briefly describes Project Employability, a job training and placement program for the developmentally disabled in Virginia, and presents three case studies to illustrate the project's job placement process. (Author/DLS)

Describes the history of the Al-Ind-Esk-A Sea, a floating fish processing factory representing a major hope for the economic independence of Alaska Natives residing outside the state. Discusses employment practices in effect on the ship. Notes interesting facts about the ship's engines and fittings. (SB)

The survey of 31 coordinators of supported employment programs for the disabled in Illinois found a high rate of job turnover by employment specialists, with salary identified as the primary reason for the turnover. Individuals hired often did not meet educational qualification standards. (DB)

The author discusses the establishment and objectives of private industry councils (PICs). Such topics as local decision making, private sector representation, on-site evaluations, and summer jobs programs are covered. Emphasis is on the Atlanta, Georgia PIC. (CH)

Reviews the status of federal initiatives to reform the U.S. employment and training system (one-stop career centers, skill standards, School-to-Work Opportunities Act). Notes uncertainties regarding the effect the new Congress will have on attempts to improve the system. (SK)

Interviews with 85 of 163 trainees and 28 of 47 trainers in a British Employment Training program showed that, despite high participation rates, ethnic minorities had lower achievement of National Vocational Qualifications and lower employment rates. Despite the positive experience of new skill acquisition, such programs reinforce the experience…

The federally and provincially funded Deaf Training Programme in Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada) trains deaf individuals to be human service workers, primarily in mainstream settings. The program uses American Sign Language as the language of instruction and a competency-based model of instruction. Nine students have successfully completed training.…

A benefit-cost analysis of the first year of a statewide supported employment initiative involving 394 Illinois individuals with handicaps found that society received a $.75 return for every $1.00 invested, taxpayers received a return of $.66, and supported employees earned an average of 37 percent more in supported employment than in alternative…

Participant observation and interviews were conducted with 19 participants in an employment training program for Canada Natives. Cultural environment was the most influential factor on the quality of learning. A learning environment that was holistic, learner centered, collaborative, and supportive enabled the most effective learning. (SK)

Using Bourdieu's concept of habitus, a study of 13 rural African-American women examined their experience in a community college work education program. Some resisted the program's ideological message in the context of a community offering few prospects for long-term employment. The program emphasized compliance, passivity, and rules rather than…

Challenges to supported employment programs for people with disabilities include conversion of day programs to integrated work options, expansion of program capacity, the need to ensure consumer choice and self-determination, and the achievement of meaningful employment outcomes. Specific recommendations are offered for each challenge. (Author/DB)

The most serious problem with the current work force preparation system is that many employment and training programs operate today to serve roughly the same people. Instead, these programs should be coordinated better to lower costs in the face of lowered funding. The General Accounting Office reports that about 125 federal programs do…

The Job Finding Club model originated in the early 1970's with Dr. Nathan Azrin, a behavioral psychologist and was adapted by Arthur Mills and his colleagues for use in Canada Employment Centers. Job Finding Club is a combined effort by its members to help each other find work. The Job Finding Club approach was adapted for use with older job…

This report presents data revealing the participation rates of people with disabilities in Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) programs for the program year July 1, 1987 to June 30, 1988. Four charts are included in the paper. The charts display state-by-state participation rates for: both adults and youth with disabilities in the JTPA's Title…

A survey of 491 Ohio employers of Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) terminees conducted in November 1989 received 346 responses. Employers were queried on attitudes toward JTPA terminees, wage subsidies, employee productivity, wages paid, benefits given, and retention, among other questions. Employees who had completed JTPA programs and were…