This volume of essays sets out to consider the contributions that higher education and industry, understood in the widest sense, could make to improving the quality of students' learning and to increasing its relevance to the needs of employment. The essays fall into four parts, the first of which is on how the relationship between industry and…

This study was undertaken to identify facilitators barriers to effective linkages of secondary education and other training programs with registered apprenticeship programs. Analysis was conducted through case studies and surveys of programs that were identified nationally. U.S. apprenticeship programs had the following weaknesses: variable…

The traditional relationships between rural and urban areas and the changes brought on by specialized rural industries discussed. The digest reviews work that has investigated the impact of farming, manufacturing, and mining on education. The effect of agricultural activity on academic achievement, especially via vocational agriculture programs,…

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;…

Some of the uneven effects of the coming enrollment decline are delineated. This condition may be exacerbated by the competition for 18-year-olds from the military and business and industry. Statistical comparisons are included. (MLW)

The National Association of Manufacturers urges states, major metropolitan cities, or regional labor market areas to have a full-time, paid industry-education coordinator on the school staff. The coordinator should be responsible for conducting needs assessments among both teachers and members of the business-industry community and implementing…

Few studies have tracked youth transition beyond the immediate post-school period or have looked at the longer-term outcomes of post-school programs. This study reports the findings of a case study investigating links between an industry-specific school vocational education and training (VET) program and subsequent work transitions to the building…

Uses data from China's market-oriented rural industrial sector to test education's effects on wage determination after 10 years of economic reform. Although education has influenced wage determination differently for various groups in diverse institutional and technological settings, this difference reflects a labor-productivity effect. This trend…

Some graduates of information-technology training programs are bypassing a traditional college education to take high-paying jobs straight out of high school. Others (both sexes) are taking IT skills to college and nabbing lucrative part-time jobs. Programs by Cisco Systems and other organizations are profiled. (MLH)

The Northwest Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center's "wood cluster initiative" illustrates the benefits of rural business clusters. The initiative is turning a loose grouping of timber and forest-product firms into a competitive system by providing technical assistance, helping businesses plan and conduct job training programs,…

The UK's National Learning Targets for Education and Training, embracing 11- to 21-year-olds, adults, and employers, promote a credentialist approach to economic and social development. This article shows how the steel industry measures up. Using qualifications-based targets as a proxy for adult workforce capability is misguided. (Contains 40…

A community economic development organization in rural Ireland partnered with a technical college to build a college to teach furniture design and manufacturing, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship and new production technologies. The college has been successful in attracting good students and helping them find employment. A research and…

The rapid rise of the information technology industry, with its need for highly skilled technicians, programmers and support personnel, has accelerated the demand for education and technology training throughout the world--and has accelerated the rise of credentialing and certification programs. Two affiliate councils of the American Association…

To meet the need for factual and objective information relating to public schools, this report examines the following perceptions about American education: (1) trends in SAT scores show a decline in the quality of public education; (2) schools are costing more and producing less; (3) reducing the educational bureaucracy will free much money needed…

The link between education and work and the situation at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs are discussed by the university chancellor in testimony to the National Commission on Excellence in Education. Characteristics of this urban, commuter university and its students are described, along with historical changes in the role of the…