An expanded investigation of the time it takes training budgets in five, now seven, industries to respond to changes in market demand and productive activity. A serious question, this reflects directly on the ability of the American economy to respond to changes in economic environment. Results indicate that for three of the five initial…

Anderson (1980) and Harris's (2000) examinations of the history of workplace learning and training in the United States highlight issues of power and control in the determination of what training is provided to workers. This paper reviews these two texts and considers the implications of a constructivist paradigm in addressing the dilemmas of…

This article investigates factors that motivate participants in learning and training activities to transfer skills, knowledge and attitude from the learning setting to the workplace. Based on training transfer theories hypothesized by Holton (1996), one of the major theories that affect an organization's learning is motivation to transfer theory.…

How to strengthen technician education to meet the needs of the biotechnology industry was the question before the 50 people who participated in the "Educating Biotechnicians for Future Industry Needs" conference from April 28 to 30 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The participants were from higher education, secondary schools, industry, government, and…

The term "customized training" has recently been used often when discussing training. Many training development companies and community colleges selling their training programs use it frequently for engaging prospective customers and companies considering purchase of their products. So, what is customized training?

Responding to the need for a definition of the role and status of human resources development (HRD) practitioners in Australia, this paper explores the nature of HRD and the educational requirements of HRD trainers. After discussing problems associated with the terms "training" and "development," the paper presents three models…

In this article I draw attention to the under-researched domain of emotion in the study of organizational learning and its implications for HRD. The paper identifies four aspects of organization learning in which an emotional dimension is evident. These are: Emotion as a learned response, Emotion as codified meaning, Emotion as affective component…

The National Center on Education and Employment has taken on the task of challenging and rethinking the premises that underlie traditions of human capital development in this country. This task is summarized in the question, "Who should teach which work-related skills to whom, when, and how?" Its first priority is that the Center's primary…

The new technology of information and communications can be applied directly to training and educating people more efficiently and effectively. Three major adjustments need to be made in current thinking about human development to meet the challenge of using the new technology. First, the development of people must be viewed as an investment and…

This study examines key theoretical principles of learning-oriented evaluation for HRD programs. Practical guidelines for the implementation of learning-oriented evaluation are also developed based on the related literature. This study suggests that evaluation should be a learning process in which information and knowledge are socially constructed…

A study surveyed owners of 20 small businesses in North County, San Diego, to determine evidence of teaching and learning. A 13-question survey instrument gathered information regarding whether training and/or education for employees was available, what education was offered, how it fit into the evaluation process, and how business owners saw…

Demographic trends between now and 1993 indicate a window of opportunity for economically disadvantaged Hispanics. If basic and job-specific skills are delivered to those who need them, unemployment and underemployment among Hispanics can be eliminated during this time. Although the present system of job training and employment programs is…

This report reviews adult education policies within the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). It asserts that human resources and their impact on the economy depend on the kind of education and training the labor force receives. The main features of governance and finance, participation patterns, and present concerns are discussed. An appendix…

Differences in training in developing countries can be traced to the experiences of colonization, industrialization, and advancing technology. Since decolonization after World War II, developing countries have had to cope with depleted primary resources and unprecedented and unexpectedly rapid industrialization. Industrialization has taken the…

Most developing countries have been debt ridden since the mid-1970s. This continuing debt burden has resulted in increasing prices and inflation, growing unemployment, and daily life difficulties. This problem has been acute for the Sudan. Sudan received help from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 1978 and negotiated new credit terms. By…