A survey of employers in Delaware, New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania provided (1) information on organizational characteristics, employers' perception of the relative importance of nine previously identified successful transition skills, and their perception of the deficiency of these skills in today's employed youth; and (2) a model procedure…

To obtain quantifiable employment information and identify training weaknesses of former vocational technical students, a comprehensive follow-up questionnaire was developed and validated. The new questionnaire, after review and revision, was field tested, using twenty-five randomly selected former students (placed in occupations related to their…

This study addresses the issue of how new forms of work organization (NFWO) are affecting job skill requirements. Practices such as job rotation, problem-solving teams and self-directed workgroups are thought to increase job skill requirements because they tend to broaden job responsibilities. The study uses the 1999 and 2000 waves of the…

Recent cognitive and historical research as well as the perspectives of workers can challenge the popular myths of literacy and work. It is believed that workers do not possess the necessary literacy skills for current and future jobs. Forecasters specify which groups will dominate the future work force--women, minorities, and immigrants. Since…

A national survey of electronic data processing (EDP) skills and training needs involved 16 representative firms that employed EDP staff. Separate semi-structured interview schedules were used to interview 266 job holders and 63 managers with responsibility for EDP staff and computing systems. Findings indicated 67 percent of EDP staff had not…

A study of 2-year associate degree commercial arts programs in Wisconsin was conducted to determine the entry-level job requirements of commercial artists on a statewide basis; to identify skill tasks, performance levels, and learning experiences required of commercial artists; to evaluate the relevance of 2-year programs to industry requirements;…

A project was undertaken to identify common skill and knowledge competencies in various occupational areas in order to provide vocational instructors and administrators with an up-to-date skill analysis for use in curriculum development. To compile this data base, researchers developed task surveys to determine the minimum competencies needed by…

This study evaluated the effectiveness of school district participation in CETA (Comprehensive Employment and Training Act) youth programs in Box Elder and Cache Counties, Utah, as well as the overall effectiveness of CETA youth programs administered by the Bear River Association of Governments. For three years, the Bear River Association of…

This third of 14 curriculum modules in the Family and Community Services Occupational Education Modules series deals with roles and responsibilities in a family and community services work situation. It focuses on employer-employee roles as well as relationships with co-workers. Information about laws, regulations, policies, and procedures is also…

As the third phase of a project designed to develop a system for statewide follow-up of postsecondary vocational education, a study was conducted to develop instruments that would provide data for the employability assessment of the graduates from vocational programs. The instruments were designed to answer two questions: Are the students prepared…

A workplace literacy partnership project was conducted to upgrade the basic skills and productivity of 287 hourly wage earners of Winamac Spring Company (WSC) in Indiana. WSC paid employee wages for up to 24 hours of training and provided a classroom facility. El-Tip-Wa Adult Learning Center instructional staff provided basic skills training using…

This guide is designed to provide counselors and training instructors with the materials to teach clients the human survival skills necessary for job success. Ten one-hour training sessions which offer an action-oriented approach emphasizing conceptual skills such as planning, communication, and decision making include: (1) the importance of…

This report contains materials to assist teachers and others in designing curricula in robotics. The first section includes the results of a survey of technicians and supervisors in nine companies involved with robots that was designed to gather information concerning the education and training needed to prepare for a career in robotics. The…

A study analyzed the schooling, further adult course participation, and informal learning of organized and unorganized workers in different occupational classes across Canada. Data were obtained from the first Canadian national survey of 1,562 adults' informal learning practices, conducted in 1998, and field notes and interview transcripts drawn…

Describes a national study of employers and workers concerning needed job skills. Advocates a work organization giving workers more authority and responsibility. Assesses skills shortages in the U.S. Compares American educational system and work organization with systems used abroad. Recommends changes to the approach to education and work. (PAA)