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…

Community colleges have the opportunity to systematically link their mission and role to national economic purposes and human resource development strategies. To take advantage of this opportunity, community college leaders, at the national, state and institutional levels, must be willing to commit to a new understanding of the roles these…

Throughout the world job training occurs in a variety of settings, with wide differences in funding sources and management systems. Regardless of the source of funding or the administrative organization, certain costs are involved, including payment for personnel, facilities, and equipment. In times of economic hardship, when funds for training…

Current education reform efforts show a lack of attention to the three out of four students currently in the educational system who are unlikely to ever earn baccalaureate degrees. The Tech Prep Associate Degree Program (TPAD) is aimed at preparing this neglected majority for the demands of a complex and shifting economy and improving teaching and…

To meet the price and quality challenges of foreign manufacturers, U.S. industry has had to invest heavily in technology, incorporating it extensively into both the manufacturing process and product. This trend, termed the "New Industrial Revolution" has created a new challenge--educating technicians to service these highly technical,…

In January 1995, Illinois' McHenry County College began development of an occupational initiative to prepare individuals for functioning in the "high performance workplace" of today's technological and informational society. The initiative, "Academy for High Performance," was designed to integrate general education with an…

With respect to the educational attainment of students and skill levels of the labor force, America cannot compete well on an international stage. Comparative international examinations reveal that American students know less than their counterparts in other advanced industrial countries. To help improve students' skill and educational levels, the…

In response to economic hardships affecting agriculture, small business, and manufacturing in Iowa, the Eastern Iowa Community College District (EICCD) initiated an economic development strategy aimed at the expansion of the employment base, diversification, assistance to existing businesses to increase their markets, and entrepreneurship. Spurred…

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…

This study asks if occupational education bestows advantages or disadvantages on the students who pursue it, and how the educational experiences of occupational students compare to the experiences of students in academic programs. The authors used the Beginning Postsecondary Student Longitudinal Study of 1989-94 and 1995-98 to analyze educational…

To provide cost effective, quality training to businesses and industrial organizations in central Ohio, Columbus State Community College (CSCC) established the Business and Industry Training Division (BITD) in 1986. The Division has increased the sales of training programs and the number of credit and non-credit class sections, and in 1994,…

Current conditions suggest that there will be an increased emphasis on customizing curricula to focus on the technological skills needed by workers to remain competitive. If community colleges are to continue as leaders in customizing training programs, they must consider ways to convince business and industry clients that up-to-date training…

Three issues concerning the provision of occupational education in the community college are addressed in this paper. First, trends in business and industry are identified which point to an increased role for the colleges in training skilled technicians for high-technology industries. The problems of skilled labor shortages and lack of…

Since community colleges play such a key role in meeting the needs for workforce development as well as open access to education, considerable pressure is placed on the colleges to demonstrate their effectiveness. Recently, the focus of assessment in community colleges has shifted from gathering data that legislators and accrediting agencies want…

In an effort to ensure local business involvement, the Steering Committee of the Tech Prep Consortium at Pasco-Hernando Community College (PHCC) in Central Florida invited members of the local business community to a Tech Prep Kickoff luncheon to sell them on Tech Prep. A tremendous number of companies attended the meeting and, to focus the energy…