This article critically reviews the World Bank's latest high-profile report on skills development in Sub-Saharan Africa. While the Report's prescriptions and recommendations are broadly in line with those of national skills development strategies elsewhere in both the developed and developing world, its overall analysis is quite limited and…

This article describes how public, nonprofit, and private partners in Detroit are working to improve and expand adult foundational skills development opportunities and connect them to workforce training as the city begins to make an economic comeback. It outlines the adult foundational skills challenge in Detroit, chronicles the work of a strategy…

By 2015, all young people must participate in some form of education and training until they are aged 18. This review discusses the challenges and opportunities involved if vocational education and training is to contribute to this raising of the participation age. We argue that as well as ensuring that young people who have made a full-time…

Technology skills are crucial for future employment needs. There will be people who identify these crucial skills as software and hardware maintenance and manipulation. Those skills just scratch the surface of future employment needs. Using technology to create a document, manipulate data, and share knowledge is now crucial for more than…

Describes the Southern Regional Education Board-State Vocational Education consortium, which envisions a major change in the way vocational education is delivered. Students must be educated for jobs, not trained for them. (JOW)

Judgments of 126 military instructors on 129 candidate skills were factor analyzed to identify the basic cognitive skills soldiers must possess before entering the Army. Results suggest that for all occupational specialties studied, skills related to the learning process are as crucial as academic skills for successful training course completion.…

This research project reviews various treatment methods used for the rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents between the years 1970-1986 in the United States. It points out eight elements that were frequently used: family involvement, remediation of basic skills, vocational preparation, socialization, creative therapy, crisis intervention, health…

Examines ways in which the evaluative criteria of literacy education are being displaced by those with a work force development focus. Illustrates the consequences of criterion bleed: the concept of basic skills is being shifted from a means of democratic participation to a tool for employment. Urges adult literacy educators to adopt a critical…

Comprehensiveness is the key to the success of Job Corps programs. Corps centers attempt to rectify deficiencies in social attitudes, self-esteem, drug/health problems, and work habits, while providing intensive skill training and work experience to economically and educationally disadvantaged youth. (SK)

Kentucky employers (249 of 800 surveyed) identified adaptability, teamwork, communication, and problem solving as entry-level and advancement skills. Over 50 percent did no preemployment testing. Responses indicated areas needing change: training focused on workplace basics, accessible training delivery, and preemployment assessment services. (SK)

The job training system needs to emphasize the basic and functional skills; it needs competency standards and certifications; advanced training should be vouchered; individuals should be tracked over time; and staff development is critical. (JOW)

A case study of a model program for recalcitrant young dropouts provides guidelines for serving successfully this high-need population. (Author)

Identifies employee skills needed by U.S. business/industry: generic skills (e.g., reading, writing, computation, problem solving), relational skills (e.g., ability to work better and in more sophisticated ways with diverse groups); responsibility skills (e.g., taking initiative in learning); and integration skills (e.g., ability to make meaning…

Identifies the basic skills needed by workers to function in today's high technology workplace. Examines ways of training employees in learning and communication skills, adaptability, personal management, group effectiveness, and organizational leadership. Describes the eight-step training approach used by Mazda Motor Manufacturing Corporation.…

The author states that there is a need for basic training patterned after the dual-system concept of industrial training. He also states that in order to raise the level of industrialization, stronger linkages must be developed between the different sectors of industry and the engineering and basic metals industry. (CT)