Provides an annotated bibliography of three documents related to workforce issues. Includes documents discussing the earning growth and employment stability of workforce entrants, the relationship of human development to the economy, and needs for continuing education and workforce training. (AJL)

The British government's policy of flexible labor market may be interpreted as either flexibility of conditions, which encourages temporary, contingent work, or flexibility of skills, a repertoire that enables workers to undertake a range of tasks as needed. The challenge for educators is to help workers understand and engage in an uncertain world…

Nonparametric matching was used to estimate the effects of two Swedish youth employment programs: youth practice (subsidized work experience, n=1,657) and labor market training (n=606). Results indicate either zero or negative effects on earnings, employment probability, or probability of entering an education program in the short term. Youth…

Considers the role of community colleges in emerging school-to-work (STW) transition systems, focusing on school-based learning, work-based learning, and connecting activities. Argues that community colleges have long provided students with work-related learning, but that efforts should be made to document these outcomes. Reviews future…

Examines the extent to which personal, attitudinal, psychosocial, and human capital characteristics affect welfare-to-work training programs. Assesses these characteristics as predictors of post-program earnings. Results suggest that the personal and social characteristics that participants bring with them to the training program does affect…

Discusses a program developed to assist displaced workers in a small town in Arkansas after a uniform-manufacturing company shut down and moved to Mexico, leaving nearly 200 unskilled workers unemployed. Reports that almost 100 of the workers became community college students through a cooperative program that involved the schools, the state, the…

Documents the growth in aesthetic service occupations and issues regarding employability: interpersonal skills, training, and social exclusion of those deemed unsuitable for "style" labor. Examines a Scottish training program that raises concerns about social control but may improve the employability of long-term unemployed persons.…

Examines the sustainability of technological innovation in community colleges. Reports on a Web-based survey that was followed up with site visits, which revealed that innovation was sustained by sharing power with collaborative partners, designing flexible programs, rewarding professional development, and using program data for marketing. Makes…

The German vocational education system, possibly the opposite of a pure modular system, must change to match the needs of a rapidly changing and specializing labor market. Four types of Scottish modular programs (National Certificate Modules, Scottish Vocational Qualifications, General Scottish Vocational Qualifications, and the new "Higher…

Part I uses simulations of a model of welfare participation and women's fertility decisions, showing that increases in per-child payments have substantial impact on fertility. Part II uses estimations of decision rules of forward-looking women regarding welfare participation, fertility, marriage, work, and schooling. (SK)

Data from an Australian evaluation of competency-based training (CBT) suggest that it emphasizes development of procedural, technical knowledge over reflective problem solving and precludes transformative learning. CBT's empowerment discourses are often belied by workplace realities. Identities of workers and vocational educators are circumscribed…

Highlights the importance of developing community college leaders capable of demonstrating strategic leadership and responding to the global forces that influence community college education. Discusses the Consortium for Community College Development's Strategic Leadership Forum and its principles, format, content, and early results. (RC)

The Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) program offers a chance to provide training and employment opportunities for people traditionally locked out of the labor market. It can stimulate greater cooperation among agencies and provide the impetus for creative approaches to serving the disadvantaged. It can boost enrollments and inspire new…

Describes how, with special precautions and structured programing, severely handicapped students who show signs of aggression and noncompliance can be prepared to participate in vocational/community-based programs located in the community. Discusses compliance training and suggests strategies to help reduce aggression during on-the-job training…

All city employees of Palm Desert, California, were assigned either to experimental or control groups. Pre- and posttests measured attitude before and after the experimental group received training. Job behavior change was measured six months later. T-tests indicated no statistically significant attitudinal or behavioral changes, perhaps because…