A review of the literature on human resource development (HRD) and HRD programs is presented. Topics include: (1) two definitions of HRD (Nadler 1983 and the American Society for Training and Development); (2) an analysis of those definitions; (3) the importance of HRD to organizations and individuals; (4) descriptions of types of HRD programs including professional programs, skill and technical programs, managerial programs, compensatory programs, and worker programs; (5) statistics on amount of money spent, number of employees involved, and largest providers of HRD programs; (6) ways in which education can link with business and industry to provide HRD including development of a mutual relationship, research, and exchange of personnel; and (7) a brief discussion of the future of HRD. A five-item bibliography of references is included, two of which are available from the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) system. (DC)