Shifting Gears was launched in 2007 by the Joyce Foundation, a Chicago-based organization focused on improving the quality of life of citizens residing in the Great Lakes region of the United States. The primary goal of Shifting Gears is to increase the number of low-skilled, low-income Midwestern adults who obtain college-level occupational…

Responding to the need for a definition of the role and status of human resources development (HRD) practitioners in Australia, this paper explores the nature of HRD and the educational requirements of HRD trainers. After discussing problems associated with the terms "training" and "development," the paper presents three models…

This workshop identified and defined environmental technology occupations, particularly at the technician level. The resulting report aims to enhance counselor, teacher, and student awareness of environmental careers at the technician level, and ultimately to address the environmental workforce needs of business, industry, and government by…

Provides information on the Putting America to Work Project of the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges. Highlights examples of community college-industry partnerships. (DMM)

As part of the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges' Putting America Back to Work Project, this monograph examines the economic climate of the United States and the role of the community colleges in economic recovery. The first sections outline the origins and initial activities of the Putting America Back to Work Project, which…

Community colleges have the opportunity to systematically link their mission and role to national economic purposes and human resource development strategies. To take advantage of this opportunity, community college leaders, at the national, state and institutional levels, must be willing to commit to a new understanding of the roles these…

Reviews approaches taken by Oregon, Arizona, Illinois, Ohio, South Carolina, North Carolina, and California to incorporate community college systems into statewide economic development strategies. Approaches focus on small business assistance; anticipation of community needs; incentives for innovation; technology transfer; comprehensive…

Provides an annotated bibliography of ERIC materials on the role of community colleges in economic development, including general articles, services to businesses, state economic development activities, and local economic development. (DMM)

Addresses issues related to the evaluation of community colleges' economic development efforts, describing the context for evaluation in terms of the external environment and college management/governance; practical realities guiding evaluation; steps in designing an evaluation programs; and the application of results to decision making. (DMM)

Designed to help community colleges create and operate a business center to serve local employers, this booklet provides information, illustrations, models, and insights to encourage the establishment of new outreach programs into the business community. Section I offers guidance on planning a business center for economic development and job…

Identifies work force development needs that can be met by community colleges through the use of cooperative education programs. Suggests modifications to current cooperative education programs to achieve desired work force and economic outcomes (e.g., employee recruitment, retention, and technical training). (DMM)

Examines trends in work force training needs and innovative approaches to meeting those needs (e.g., business incubators, small business development centers, 2+2 programs, and cooperative education programs). Suggests ways in which community colleges can become more involved in work force development. (DMM)

Examines recent initiatives of state governments and boards in developing economic development policy with community colleges as active partners. Places the policy discussion within a human capital framework, considering the state role in building human capital, and the building of human and physical capital through technical training. (DMM)

In fall 1982, Johnson County Community College (JCCC) conducted two surveys to determine the internal training needs of business and industry in Johnson County. One survey was mailed to the chief executives of some 2,000 businesses and industries, and another was distributed to about 2,000 employees of a large corporation in the county. Study…

Identifies the characteristics of collaborative programs focusing on community development, institutional development, and business development. Points to factors which determine the effectiveness of these programs; i.e., organizational mission, the level of leadership responsible for the project, and the depth of institutional involvement. (DMM)