A study examined the publicly-funded vocational education and training (VET) system in South Australia (SA) in 1997. Background information indicated SA is a geographically large state with a relatively small population that is older compared to the rest of Australia, with 14 percent aged over 65 compared with 12 percent nationally. Findings were…

This document provides a rationale for a company to install a workplace skills program and suggestions for finding help in implementing such a program. Topics covered include the following: (1) changing literacy standards; (2) the changing work force and high performance workplaces; (3) cost of hiring new employees versus training current…

The need for systems identifying workplace competency profiles was examined through telephone interviews with a nationwide sample of 56 individuals in Australia's electrical industry: 27 employers not directly involved in training; 23 individuals directly involved in training; and 6 apprentices, trainees, and employees. Although competency…

This document contains detailed information on the performance and characteristics of the vocational education and training (VET) system in Australia in 1996. The report looks at a range of specific key performance measures for the VET sector. Some highlights of the performance of the VET sector in 1996 include the following: (1) more than 1.35…

To provide a common frame of reference, the Michigan Employability Skills Task Force created a working construct of employability skill categories. The draft framework extended beyond academic competence to include interpersonal, group, and adaptability skills. After task force discussions, the initial five skill categories were compressed into…

A study examined the attitudes of Oregon employers toward vocational education and employment and training programs in the state. During the study, researchers conducted interviews with representatives of the 10 largest companies in Oregon and mailed surveys to a random sample of approximately 1,500 employers as well as to 140 employers who were…

This study analyzed Oklahoma's completion status reports, student follow-up findings, employers' ratings, and wages of secondary and adult traditional and nontraditional students from vocational and technical education programs for fiscal years 1978-79, 1979-80, and 1980-81. (Complete statistical data calculations for each area analyzed are…

A summer Career Guidance Institute, conducted for graduate credit, placed 16 secondary teachers in entry-level positions in jobs not requiring college education for six weeks. The teachers worked four days a week and attended seminars and group discussions one day a week. Study of this pilot program was conducted to investigate three questions:…

Designed for use as a textbook for prospective vocational instructors or a handbook for practicing instructors, this guide provides information on the non-teaching responsibilities of the vocational instructor. Hundreds of hints, suggestions, strategies, techniques, and approaches for improving effectiveness, and numerous illustrations and sample…

In a four-section final report with its focus on methodology rather than on findings of particular follow-up studies, this project addresses two needs--to identify, review, and analyze vocational student and employer follow-up efforts at local, state, and federal levels, and to prepare training materials useful to individuals or groups at all…

A study interviewed participants in and providers of pre- apprenticeship (PA) programs in Australia and identified their potential role as a component of overall vocational education and training (VET) provision. Data were derived from a special series developed from national VET statistical data for 1994-2000 and were refined by discarding…

This publication provides a detailed description of Australia's vocational education and training system (VET), including key facts and figures. The eight sections of the report cover the following topics: (1) introduction to Australia; (2) overview of the education and training system; (3) overview of the vocational education and training system;…

This article discusses the research approach adopted by one higher education institution in the United Kingdom (UK) to explore employers' and employees' responses to local skills, recruitment and training issues and how these responses were used to develop a curriculum for Foundation degrees. The article discusses skills issues, the varying…

A study examined British employers' views of the links between education and business. Data were collected from the following sources: mail survey of a random sample of 1,796 employers drawn from the Dunn and Bradstreet database (response rate, 47.1%); follow-up interviews (43 face-to-face and 38 telephone interviews); and review of national and…

A study used concept mapping to identify, classify, and prioritize student outcomes for use in building a foundation for evaluating tech prep programs. The study involved 61 stakeholders from 3 stakeholder groups: 24 educators, 18 students, and 19 employers, who rated 98 student outcomes statements gleaned from educational literature on tech prep…