A major proposition is that dual training arrangements alone do not necessarily solve quality problems in the delivery of vocational education and training (VET) nor improve VET links to the labor market. An essential strategy for Australia should be to further develop holistic training courses linked to apprenticeship models and embed both into a…

Assesses the current demand for and range of vocational education programs in the United States, describing participation, program availability, teaching methods, effectiveness, student and employer attitudes toward vocational education, the importance of federal funding, and needs for improvement and changes in program content and support. (PGD)

A survey of 177 employers of Wyoming vocational education graduates sought to identify skills and competencies the graduates needed. A random sample of 525 businesses both Wyoming-based and foreign (home-based outside of Wyoming) were mailed surveys; 267 survey forms were returned, but only 177 provided data for analysis. Findings indicated that…

A study assessed the relevance of work-based learning approaches used in school-to-work efforts. Evidence indicated that employers were steadily raising the entry requirements into the low end of the labor market. Despite the serious skill deficiencies of welfare recipients, employers felt no responsibility to people who lacked the basic skills…

The 1994-95 school year was the first year of the MECA (Manufacturing, Engineering, Construction, Automotive) partnership implementation in the Saginaw (Michigan) Public Schools. MECA's purpose was to nurture the potential of youth while placing them in workplace environments that had not been a traditional part of applied learning in secondary…

An evaluation was conducted of the development of those transferable and personal skills which had been given particular prominence by the Technical and Vocational Education Initiative (TVEI) in Scotland. Questionnaires were sent to the following: pupils and TVEI coordinators in 80 secondary schools; 30 school leavers from one further education…

A study was conducted to provide vocational educators with resources regarding implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM). Data were gathered through development of a bibliography of resources; a survey of all Oklahoma vocational-technical schools regarding specific industries in their area using TQM components (10 responses); and site…

This paper examines changing demographics in the American work force during the 1990s and implications for the economy, for America's ability to compete globally, and for industry and education. In response to these workplace and demographic changes, the National Association for Industry-Education Cooperation utilized the technique of networking…

Employer attitudes toward youth, the youth labor market, and prospects for a national system of youth apprenticeships were studied through a survey of firms that had participated in local youth apprenticeship or cooperative education programs in seven U.S. cities and focus group discussions with small and large employers in eight U.S. communities.…

The annual report presents 1987 activities of the Transition Institute at the University of Illinois which was contracted to assist in evaluating and extending the federal initiative relating to educational and employment difficulties experienced by young people with disabilities. Briefly reported are activities related to the contracted tasks of…

This study explored the relationship of vocational-technical educational institutions in Ohio with business and industry using high-technology applications. The study attempted to determine what high-technology applications will be adopted by Ohio's business and industry in the next 5 years, what experience the schools have had in working with…

An evaluation of secondary vocational education in Wisconsin was made using self-evaluation data from 55 schools. Each school gathered data from graduates, employers, advisory committee members, staff, and current students. Findings from the data were synthesized under five outcome areas: employment, postsecondary training, training satisfaction,…

The Secondary Transition Intervention Effectiveness Institute studies issues related to secondary education and transitional services for individuals with special needs. This third annual report offers an overview of secondary transitional services in the United States by Jane Dowling. Papers describing preliminary findings of the Institute's…

This report, part of a 5-year evaluation project (fiscal years 1983-87), represents a summary and synthesis of self evaluation data from 45 secondary schools. Each school conducted an extensive vocational program self evaluation, accumulating data from graduates, employers, advisory committee members, staff and current students. On site…

A study examined which agricultural mechanics skills were being taught by vocational horticulture teachers in Pennsylvania and compared the degree of proficiency possessed by teachers for particular competencies with the indicated relative importance of these competencies as perceived by employers in the horticulture industry. Also examined were…