Since the early 1980s, several unions have negotiated for training and education funds paid for by the employer and administered jointly by the union and the company. However, the link between lifelong learning and productivity is more a matter of belief than a proven fact. (JOW)

Corporations are now partnering with universities to offer their employees a wider variety of programs and courses through distance education. Three models for corporate-college partnerships are as follows: (1) the classic approach (tuition reimbursement); (2) portal approach (courses available online); and (3) training approach (course tailored…