Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the implications of national and international standards for human resource development (HRD) practice. It focuses on the experiences, perceptions and learning of those involved in the social construction of standards and standardisation processes. Design/methodology/approach: The research is…

OECD countries have established statistical collections to ensure quality within Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). Focusing on one part of ECEC -- preschool 'childcare services' -- this paper critically reviews statistical collections specifically designed to measure childcare patterns in England alongside UK data collected for other…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the amount of training received by employees; the extent to which individuals are dissatisfied with the training they receive; and employee perceptions of the extent to which the skill levels they possess are higher than/lower than those required to do their jobs. Design/methodology/approach: A…

In October 1999, the British government enacted the Working Families' Tax Credit, which aimed at encouraging work among low-income families with children. This paper uses panel data collected between 1991 and 2001 to evaluate the effect of this reform on single mothers. We find that the reform led to a substantial increase in their employment rate…

The author attempts to construct a conceptual map of prevocationalism in order to facilitate practical exploration. He aims to outline some of the contexts within which prevocationalism is embedded and present a clear delineation of the concept. (CH)

A review of three recent publications leads to the conclusion that Britain should (1) adopt the German two-tier system of skilled workers and master workers, a status distinction that can be applied in blue- and white-collar occupations; and (2) train workers through apprenticeships. (SK)

There is a growing concern in organizations using information technology that the widespread introduction and development of information technology is being hindered by a growing shortage of manpower with higher level skills. The situation in Great Britain is described. (Author/MLW)

Emphasis on competence and National Vocational Qualifications in Britain raises questions as to whether the competence framework is an appropriate form of progress. Development of education/training and employment opportunities in the present period of uncertainty requires imagination as well as competence. (SK)

According to the chief executive of the South London Training and Enterprise Council (TEC), the key factor in the creation of a dynamic and successful modern economy in Britain is the development of the workforce. Adult learning is the essential component of the modern economy. (JOW)

Review of research using data from five British national demographic surveys showed that secondary analyses occurred less often in education; such analyses focused on the effect of educational qualifications on employment; and some data remain relatively unexploited. (SK)

Criticizes the new technical schools in Great Britain as "yet another waste of the taxpayers' money." Argues that employers value general academic ability over specific vocational skills. Concludes that successive British governments have demonstrated economic illiteracy when applying the principles of economics to the education…

Explores the genre of the adolescent girl career novel, specifically limited to 1950s Great Britain. Addresses the dual role of women during the 1950s that focused on the pursuit of a career and domesticity. Examines how the career novel negotiated dilemmas facing young women leaving school. (CMK)

Discusses Mechanics' Institutes and British working-class intellectual life during the nineteenth century (a time period later than generally studied) as a contributor to the spread of evolutionary socialism. Many people preferred non-vocational subjects such as geology and physiology; they were concerned with natural history and new evolutionary…

A project to accelerate the pace of change in vocational education and training involved all stakeholders in planning, implementation, and assessment; replaced syllabi with integrated learning systems; used reflection at each step; and integrated vocational qualifications into the process, rather than making them the primary goal for students. (SK)

Discusses three characteristics of educational systems that have been used to explain social stratification processes: stratification, standardization, and vocational specificity. Describes how these characteristics affect the movement of students through school and into the labor force in France, Germany, Great Britain, and the United States.…