This issue examines selected topics in vocational education in Canadian community colleges. It focuses on the central themes of community college and industry partnerships, vocational education assessment, and vocational and workplace education pedagogical models. Articles include: (1) "Industry and Colleges: Key Partners in Meeting Canada's…

At Wisconsin's Madison Area Technical College (MATC), both external and internal partnerships are a fundamental part of instructional programming. As the need for technological and mathematical competence in the workforce has increased, partnerships between the college and business and industry have become more important and represent an…

Problems in the Canadian system of vocational training are addressed in this presentation to a special parliamentary committee by the chief executive officer of Pacific Vocational Institute (PVI). After introductory remarks on the purposes and objectives of PVI, two approaches to occupational training in Canada are discussed. The Manpower Demand…

Contends that the language of business and the language of education do not always translate neatly. Notes that more than 200 U.S. and Canadian community colleges are trying to solve this problem by adopting a "common language" solution called Work Keys. Most of the centers that use this solution are housed at community colleges. (AMA)

This paper addresses the issue of educational budgets for Ontario's Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology (Canada). Colleges have supported a 35% increase in enrollment, with a 40% decrease in funding, over the last ten years, while operating costs have increased. In addition, Ontario eliminated the secondary school Ontario Academic Courses…

This environmental scan is designed to assist Ontario's colleges in their strategic planning processes. Ontario's colleges have supported a 35% increase in enrollment, with a 40% decrease in funding, over the last ten years, while operating costs have risen. In addition, Ontario eliminated the secondary school Ontario Academic Courses (OACs),…

In 1989, a study was conducted of applicants to training programs offered at community colleges in New Brunswick to determine the characteristics of applicants, their reasons for applying, their expectations of the program, and influences on their enrollment decisions. Applications and available training seats were examined over the 3-year period…

The Software Human Resource Council (SHRC) is a nonprofit sectoral council that speaks for software professionals throughout the Canadian economy. The SHRC's mission is to increase the number of Information Technology (IT) workers in Canada. This paper gives a brief overview of the evolution of SHRC's Information Technology Professional Program…

This study reviews the relationship that has been established in the steel industry between the Canadian Steel Trade and Employment Congress (CSTEC) and education/training institutions called upon to provide steelworker job training and development programs. It describes the forces that brought the parties together and the difficulties in forming…

Creating stronger links between community colleges and industry is likely to be one of the most important tasks in the creation of new industries in Canada and the development of an internationally competitive economy. Existing relations vary from arms-length to working hand in hand, and several projects have been undertaken to encourage closer…

In 1987 and 1988, the New Brunswick (Canada) Department of Advanced Education and Training conducted follow-up surveys of graduates of full-time training programs to determine their labor market success. In 1987, of the 2,319 graduates surveyed, 1,574 (68%) responded, while in 1988, 1,578 (69%) of the 2,302 graduates surveyed responded. In both…

A study was conducted to identify the literacy requirements of 10 college vocational training programs and their corresponding occupations. Following a review of 5 years of student records at an eastern Ontario community college, the 10 major vocational programs studied were categorized as follows: motor vehicle mechanic, engineering technician,…

The Making Canada Productive project, a human resource initiative undertaken by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC), is described in this monograph. An introductory chapter discusses the need for and aim of the project (i.e., to improve work force productivity through training, using creative partnerships between industry, labor,…

In an effort to meet the training needs of the British Columbia (BC) labor force, Open College (OC), in Burnaby, has focused future activities on market-driven, employer-centered training programs utilizing advanced technologies and traditional on-site instructional methods. Designed to ensure that these courses and programs reflect actual labor…

Prior to 1985, the British Columbia (Canada) community colleges relied heavily on institutional seat purchases (direct funding) to support ongoing vocational programs and, to a lesser extent, to implement new training programs. With the introduction of the Canada Job Strategy in 1985, many of the seat purchases were reduced in favor of indirect…