Analysis of industrial and demographic dynamics of New York City at once mirrors and anticipates events in other parts of the nation. Key factors are the sharp loss of manufacturing jobs, the rise in knowledge-based jobs, and the increased role of women and minorities in the labor force. (Author)

In three task settings differing in difficulty and turnover rate in a truck assembly plant, structured on-the-job training (OJT) provided twice the financial benefits as unstructured OJT and required one-fifth the mastery time. Turnover rate had a greater effect on benefit size than did task difficulty. (SK)

The system of services to blind persons in two republics (Russia and Byelorussia) of the Soviet Union is described as a system in which employment and rehabilitation services revolve around factory operations and consumer-driven umbrella organizations. Also discussed are political changes occurring in Eastern Bloc countries and possible impact on…

Computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) is a critical mechanism for manufacturing competitiveness. Education and government must focus on preparing workers for the CIM environment and providing technical assistance for technology transfer, especially in small businesses. (SK)

Responses from 351 employee participants in a workplace education program (218 completers) indicated they were mostly white, female high school graduates ages 26 to 35. Women with Test of Adult Basic Education math scores below 5.0 were less likely to complete. Those who completed higher grades in school were more likely to participate. (SK)

Examines the use of the Performance Analysis for Training (PAT) model to assess performance needs in an organization that implements integrated manufacturing processes. Results showed that the PAT model was a useful guide for assessing performance needs and that the process and product of the performance analysis was influenced by the…

Explores ways in which working identities are discursively constructed in contemporary workplaces, arguing that the construction of new kinds of working identities is a primary function of the contemporary workplace, a function mandated by global discourses of quality management and mediated by workplace educators at local sites. (Author/VWL)

More than a decade ago, the United States Congress passed the Scientific and Advanced Technology Act, which authorized the Advanced Technological Education program (ATE). Through ATE, the National Science Foundation (NSF) was directed to develop models aimed at two-year colleges of advanced technological education in order to expand the nation's…

The German packaging ordinance is an example of legislated extended producer responsibility (also known as product take-back). Consumers can leave packaging with retailers, and packagers are required to pay for their recycling and disposal. It can be considered to be successful in reducing waste, spurring the redesign of packaging to be more…

This article talks about a joint effort between the National Science Foundation and the nation's community colleges that helps students secure jobs in technical career fields. It describes Advanced Technological Education Program (ATE), National Science Foundation's (NSF's) premier initiative with two-year colleges that was created in response to…

This study documents the mathematics practiced by four women in the context of sewing. The study describes the mathematics recognized in the skills, thinking and strategies used by the seamstresses. Through their work, the seamstresses exhibited an understanding of the concepts of angles, direction, parallel, reflection, symmetry, proportion,…

Attention has been focused on whether U.S. competitiveness in a global market can be sustained if the work force has deficient reading skills. The U.S. Department of Education estimates that 90 million adults (50 percent of the adult population) do not have the literacy skills they need to function in society. These persons have limited reading…

Between 1981 and 1986, the U.S. manufacturing sector lost 1.2 million jobs. There is little regional variation in rates of plant closure, nor is there any correlation between cross-regional rates of industry growth and regional rates of plant closures. However, regional variation in rates of employment gains due to start-ups can be large and is…

Building on previous research on the future skill needs of workers in southeastern Wisconsin, a study was conducted at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) to gather information on the machine tool industry in the Milwaukee area. Interviews were conducted by MATC Machine Shop and Tool and Die faculty with representatives from 135 machine shops,…

Designed to aid minority firms who are inexperienced in the export market, this handbook provides a step-by-step guide to the development of an export business, describing what to do, how to do it, and where to find more information on specific international marketing help. Starting with the easiest opportunities that do not require any…