Examining the transition from school to work in Europe, this speech focuses on a comparison of initial occupational preparation for young people in France, Germany, and Great Britain. The desired competencies in new entrants to the labor market are listed in four categories: basic cognitive skills; personal qualities and work attitudes;…

A study of apprenticeship systems in a large number of foreign countries revealed considerable interest in expanding and improving apprenticeship systems, both as initial training systems and as a way of easing the transition from school to work and relieving youth unemployment. The American apprenticeship system differs from those of other…

Linking employers with educational institutions in order to improve education and educate students who can do jobs is important in the Philippines. Program linkages include the following: (1) industry involvement in policy formation through employer groups on education boards; (2) regional and provincial education boards having private industry…

As schools attempt to foster smoother transitions for youth into the workplace, differing realities must be considered. A school-to-work opportunities system cannot be restricted to those occupations meeting an elusive definition of "high wage." Three possible workplace learning opportunities are as follows: the high-skill, high-wage workplace;…

The study focuses on the issue of entry into building trades unions, detailing union procedures and standards, journeyman's background, and comparing training routes. Various basic construction trades were investigated: bricklayers, carpenters, electrical workers, ironworkers, plumbers and steamfitters, and sheet metal workers. Data were collected…

Compares employers' stated needs for entry-level workers possessing better academic skills with their training programs and hiring practices to supposedly meet this need. Discovers a dichotomy between the stated needs and the corrective practice. Most remedial training emphasizes short-term job skills and hiring practices do not reward academic…

A Spokane, Washington, program was designed to offer training and employment opportunities within the residential and commercial construction industries to females, minorities, incarcerated persons, veterans, and economically disadvantaged men and women. A total of 21 classes with a total of 3,116 training hours were offered to 277 participants.…

This book, which contains the proceedings of the first in a series of annual Policy Forums on Employability Development conducted by the National Center for Research in Vocational Education, is an examination of the contributions of the key training institutions in the United States to the preparation of young workers for work. Focusing on…

The City and Guild of London Institute was set up about one hundred years ago in England to create links among schools, industry, and apprenticeship programs in order to provide examinations to qualify persons entering various trades. Today, the Institute provides services for vocational education according to this procedure: (1) agrees with…

The Pittsburgh Plan, a voluntary hometown plan designed to place minorities in local building trade unions, is described in detail from the perspective of its operations, its effectiveness in carrying out its purpose, and the individuals it serves. A benefit-cost analysis of the Pittsburgh Plan is presented. The significance of the results and its…

A study was conducted to identify the current needs of truck mechanic apprenticeship training programs, the problems experienced in these programs, and possible solutions to these problems. Research data was collected by the following methods: A questionnaire was completed by operating and maintenance people in the trucking industry in the Chicago…

A study examined whether there were any differences in the performance of apprentices trained in off-the-job, on-the-job, or in-plant training programs. A 1984 apprentice intake sample of over 500 apprentices and information supplied by 16 in-plant training centers and 9 colleges were used to collect data on the job performance of apprentices in…

As a result of studies on fitting and machining apprentices attitudes toward employers, a study was conducted to obtain the attitudes of a sample of employers toward apprenticeship. Three hundred questionnaires were distributed to employers of fitting and machine students studying at a number of Sydney (Australia) Technical Colleges. An…

Leading-edge firms (LEFs)--at the forefront of their industry in terms of growth or market share--may influence skill development through diffusion of technology, products, or practices and use of market power to set standards or change customer businesses. Study of LEFs can identify the type and mix of skills needed in the industry. LEFs are…

This publication introduces youth apprenticeship and reports on the experiences of businesses adopting this model. Part I presents the four fundamental components of the youth apprenticeship model--applied academics, on-the-job training, links with postsecondary learning opportunities, and standards and credentials--and posits its use as a…