Many adults--particularly those with just a high school education--struggle to get and keep jobs that pay enough to support their families and permit upward mobility. At the same time, some employers report difficulty finding people with the right skills to meet their needs. Programs that target in-demand industries or sectors and heavily involve…

The number and percentage of students of color are growing in Washington state, yet the teacher workforce remains largely White (non-Hispanic). This means that few students of color have teachers who share their race or ethnicity, which could have consequences for student achievement and wellbeing. To better understand the state's shortage of…

This Study Snapshot highlights key findings from a study exploring the state's shortage of teachers of color. The study investigated six steps in the teacher preparation and career pathway at which teacher candidates and teachers are likely to drop out or leave the profession: three teacher preparation tests, certification, employment, and…

The "Pathways to Teaching: Teacher Diversity, Testing, Certification, and Employment in Washington State" study examined the state's shortage of teachers of color. The study investigated six steps in the teacher preparation and career pathway at which teacher candidates and teachers are likely to drop out or leave the profession: three…

A major economic driver, the aerospace industry contributes to exports and higher wage jobs, which the United States requires to maintain robust economic health. Despite the investment in vocational educational training programs, insufficient workers have been available to aerospace companies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the…

Decades ago, most U.S. companies hired locally, few jobs required a college education and even high school dropouts could find well-paying work. However, the world has changed. With automation and overseas outsourcing eliminating many low-skilled jobs--and, increasingly, many higher-skilled ones--more and more Americans need postsecondary…

In the rapidly changing world of higher education, innovative approaches to teaching adults are needed to drive instructional practices for helping to prepare the professionals of the future. The papers collected in "Innovations in Teaching Adults" were originally presented at a conference at City University of Seattle. The authors of…

The nation's community colleges share a common and vital purpose: preparing students--young and working adults--for jobs and continued academic study. Today, over 7 million community college students strive to attain a degree that will expand their opportunity, whether they aim to graduate directly into the workforce or continue on to seek a…

This study investigated computer and word processing operator skills necessary for employment in today's high technology office. The study was comprised of seven major phases: (1) identification of existing community college computer operator programs in the state of Washington; (2) attendance at an information management seminar; (3) production…

The objectives of the study were to identify present and emerging off-farm agricultural occupations and to determine for present and anticipated numbers of employees, competencies needed for entry and advancement, job characteristics, and educational needs. A sample of 472 was drawn from a population of 2,952 firms. Of 437 firms contacted by 60…

This handbook is designed to provide educators, counselors, employment advisors, and similar personnel in the State of Washington with a handy reference to the apprenticeable trades. Concise thumbnail sketches for use in discussions and vocational counseling of individuals detail opportunities, entrance requirements, helpful school subjects, and…

A survey of 10,739 employers (37 percent rate of return) was conducted in Washington state from July through September 1999 to determine training and skill needs of employers and the capacity of the state's training programs to meet those needs. In addition, research was conducted through data matching of unemployment insurance and training…

Information concerning job characteristics and employment skills for the physically handicapped were provided for 227 occupations contained within the Washington Occupational Information Service (WOIS) career information system. For each occupation, an adjunct description was written, including alternative or feasible occupations in each…

A project developed a solar-related vocational training curriculum for use in the general technical trades training curriculum. Forty-seven firms comprising Washington State's "solar industry" were surveyed to identify existing and emerging solar-related occupations and prerequisites for entry. Results indicated that solar technologies…

The second phase of a curricular articulation project conducted as a coordinated effort among school districts, vocational-technical institutes, and community colleges involved in the Northeast Vocational Advisory Council (NEVAC) developed career ladders in three vocational program areas and a model useful to others developing similar ladders. The…