Adult basic education students manage adult responsibilities and obligations and personal goals related to school. They commit their time and limited resources and thus are investors in their own learning. As investors, their voices matter. When one countywide adult basic education program implemented a systemic plan to ask students upon entry…

Leaders in the business community often talk about the "skills gap," the gap between the skills needed for good jobs in the economy and the skills that prospective employees possess. Though there is debate as to whether or not such a gap actually exists, the idea of the "skills gap" can be a helpful way to frame instances where…

The increased complexity of today's work environment has made the need for soft skills, such as teamwork, communication, leadership, and problem solving, more salient than ever. Employers hire for these skills because it is increasingly the human resources that give organizations a competitive advantage. Therefore, academia must respond to these…

The basic components of apprenticeships are the same today as in 1937, when the National Apprenticeship Act set the foundation for apprenticeships in the United States. Apprentices enter into a structured training program of classroom and paid on-the-job training under the guidance of a mentor. As their skills increase, so do their wages. Upon…

Policymakers and education leaders in Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) states have been working since 2002 to meet all 12 "Challenge to Lead" Goals for Education. At the same time, SREB states have had to struggle with the toughest economic challenges in decades. Even so, SREB states have succeeded in achieving many of the goals…

The final report outlines a statewide project which provided basic emergency technicians (EMT) training. The use of videotaped instruction, development of testing materials, and the development of cooperative voluntary structures on the State and community level are discussed. Objectives emphasize: (1) uniform training throughout the State, (2)…

This study was undertaken to describe efforts in three states to create customized vocational training for specific client firms as part of economic development efforts. Approximately 70 persons from education, business, and state government were interviewed; documents from the three states (Ohio, South Carolina, and New York) were reviewed; and,…

This report, the fifth in a series of studies of South Carolina's vocational education system, summarizes the results of a recent mail survey of more than 1,200 employers throughout the state regarding their perceptions of and experiences with vocational education, its graduates, and entry-level workers. Some of the results of the survey were as…

Examines how well structural and social psychological variables explain occupational aspirations of 447 rural, low-income southern youth during preadolescence, adolescence, and young adulthood (contacts were made in 1969, 1975, and 1979). Finds results vary from Ginsburg's theory of three stages with occupational expectations declining rapidly…

This biennial report provides an evaluation of the South Carolina vocational education program delivery system assisted under the Carl D. Perkins Act and the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). It focuses on the adequacy and effectiveness of the delivery system in achieving the purposes of the two acts. These findings of the State Council on…

This report presents results from an evaluation of the adequacy and effectiveness of South Carolina vocational education program delivery systems under the Carl D. Perkins Act and Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). Data from nine Service Delivery Areas (SDAs) for Program Years 1988 and 1989 show allocations, expenditures, program performance,…

Selected state and local experiments in developing/supporting workplace-centered training programs were analyzed to identify issues relevant to developing a national policy for workplace training. Intensive case studies of state economic development/training programs in California and Illinois and the employment and training programs provided by…