Four-hour internships have been a requirement for nonteaching geography majors at Illinois State University (Normal) since 1987. A 2-hour pre-internship seminar, taught every spring, is also required. In this course, students learn of internship possibilities; develop resumes and cover letters; participate in a video-taped mock interview; receive…

As part of a larger 2-year study of the nature of excellent vocational educators who work in business and industry, this paper describes what has been learned from a number of case studies about trainer "certification" (preparation) programs in business and industry. More specifically, the paper describes the processes used to certify trainers and…

Embedded Training (ET), means the use of sophisticated simulators for training that are embedded within operational equipment, is an emerging trend in military education for pilots, weapon systems personnel, etc. Training devices and ET are used to provide opportunities for both practicing job skills and original learning, and their effectiveness…

Since its inception in 1978, Hagerstown Junior College's (HJC's) Return-to-Industry Project has provided a model for addressing the problem of vocational and technical faculty keeping abreast of technological changes in their field. The project, which was funded by a 5-year Appalachian Regional Development grant, returned occupational faculty to…

This summary of the written responses of participants in the Plenary Session of the 1985 World Conference of the International Council for Distance Education begins with a review of the session's specific goals: (1) to present selected ideas and arguments from two perspectives--a traditional pedagogical one and an open, andragogical one; allow…

A study compared the perceptions of electronic technology education teachers and employers in the electronics industry regarding the competencies graduates need for employment in the industry. The study population consisted of 27 state institutions with electronics technology programs in Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Kentucky,…

In response to economic hardships affecting agriculture, small business, and manufacturing in Iowa, the Eastern Iowa Community College District (EICCD) initiated an economic development strategy aimed at the expansion of the employment base, diversification, assistance to existing businesses to increase their markets, and entrepreneurship. Spurred…

The strategy of expanding the modern industrialized economic sector and the formal education system that developing countries have followed during the past twenty years has recently been questioned. In these countries, the informal economic sector is dominant and includes many more people in small business, crafts, and services. An innovative…

Problems in the Canadian system of vocational training are addressed in this presentation to a special parliamentary committee by the chief executive officer of Pacific Vocational Institute (PVI). After introductory remarks on the purposes and objectives of PVI, two approaches to occupational training in Canada are discussed. The Manpower Demand…

Federal initiatives should be undertaken to reduce long-term structural unemployment in the United States. Long-term structural unemployment has risen during the 1970s and 1980s but is still primarily a problem of disadvantaged workers, not dislocated ones. The impact of technological change on occupations is felt mainly by the employed who are…

The Individualized Resource Program/Community-Based Vocational Training Program of the Iowa Valley Community College District provides assessment, vocational and functional academics training, and job placement services for adults with developmental disabilities and moderate mental retardation. Participants complete a non-credit community college…

Among the communication skills needed for business and industry are the ability to (1) express logical ideas in an organized fashion in public address, small group, and interpersonal contexts; (2) analyze receiver needs and adapt to those needs; (3) write thoughts in a correct and concise manner; (4) listen actively; (5) conduct thorough research;…

A significant need exists for new and expanded training programs for people who must interact with different cultures. When people experience a new cultural environment, they are likely to experience conflict between their own cultural predispositions and the values, beliefs, and opinions of the host culture. A training program, the Cultural…

This paper presents an evaluation of Army job training development and testing practices, with a focus on Advanced Individual Testing. Information comes from intensive interviews with school instructors and from observations in the schools. Results indicate that some aspects of the Instructional Systems Development (ISD) model have been…

Vocational education as a social intervention process operates on two levels: (1) the micro level at which services are designed to improve the employability of the individual and (2) the macro level where the objective is to heighten the awareness and the sensitivity of the community as to the importance of human resource development for the…