A survey involving 1,142 Nashville, Tennessee, area businesses was conducted to assess current employment interest and future labor demands for entry-level jobs. Major objectives of the project component, part of a three-pronged effort to improve vocational education, were (1) to provide for greater involvement by business and industry in…

This guide aims to help students make informed decisions about careers in graphic design. The guide defines the purpose and practice of the graphic design field and identifies the strong link between effective educational programs and effective professional practices. Suggestions are given for evaluating schools and potential employers. Comments…

This handbook was developed to assist teachers of secondary agricultural cooperative training with related instructional periods and to assist students in developing the civic and social aspects of their lives. The contents of the handbook are intended as a guide for teachers in leading group discussions with their class members, selecting…

This study followed up 79,812 vocational job training completers and 316 vocational job training leavers in Ohio for the school year 1981-82. Data were gathered in January 1983 for the 1982 graduating class. The results of the study showed that economic benefits resulted from completing a vocational job training program. Even with the severely…

The United Kingdom's system of apprenticeships and its relationship to vocational education and employment are discussed, with focus on recent government initiatives, access to apprenticeships, and efforts to coordinate training with labor market needs. (MSE)

A survey of secondary students, French language teachers, managers, and university students in Buenos Aires (Argentina) gives insight into the role of French there and reasons for studying it. Students in general appreciated the language for its aesthetic aspects, managers and teachers for its contribution to culture in general. (MSE)

This module provides strategies for educators who want to assess employer needs in their communities. In addition, it provides guidelines for organizing and using the information once it is compiled. The guide includes a list of definitions and uses a question-and-answer format to discuss the best method for assessing employer needs, deciding whom…

This three-part package was prepared to assist business education teachers in Wyoming to improve their programs to meet the entry-level requirements of the state's employers. Three documents are included in this package: the Standards of Excellence handbook, the 1984 Report of Basic Entry-Level Competencies Needed for Employment, and a…

This document contains four papers (and an introduction by William Wilhelm) on teaching "soft" skills in business education programs. "The Skill Building Challenge: Preparing a Bridge for the Workforce Skills Gap" (Sheila M. Smith) examines the following topics: the workforce skills gap; the importance of academic and…

This curriculum guide was prepared for use in an introductory occupations course required of all New York State students taking a sequence in vocational education. Compiled by a partnership that included organized labor, the curriculum guide is based on New York State law, but the concepts and approaches could be adapted for use in other states.…

This unit, one in a series of packets of teacher and student materials for cooperative occupational education (COE) designed for special needs students, is intended to provide students with information relative to job safety. Emphasis is placed on monetary and personal costs of accidents, causes of accidents on the job, and how accidents can be…

This unit, one in a series of packets of teacher and student materials for cooperative occupational education (COE) designed for special needs students, is intended to develop student awareness of factors that influence progress on the job. Emphasis is placed on how promotions are earned and given, positive and negative aspects of promotions, and…

One of a series of secondary level units on business issues, this packet focuses on the relationship between business and young employees. The packet contains a teacher's guide and a student activity section. Within the teacher's guide, an overview of activities, objectives, and time frame precedes summaries of five daily lesson plans. Also…

A project involving educators and business leaders in southwestern Connecticut was undertaken to develop an intensive, competency-based business course to provide high school students with the skills to fill entry-level administrative support positions. The project was designed to: (1) recruit and motivate students with high potential for success…

This unit, one in a series of packets of teacher and student materials for cooperative occupational education (COE) designed for special needs students, presents students with a brief introduction to federal laws that protect workers' rights. Emphasis is placed on the Fair Labor Standards Act, the National Labor Relations Act, and the Civil Rights…