The Vo-Tech Mini Mall is a model program for unemployed out of school youth (ages 16 to 21). During a 2-year period, 60 youths participated in the program. Participants attended classes at a vocational center and/or community college depending on their career goals, developing skills in areas such as carpentry, plumbing, and heating. (PHR)

Bridging the gap between the classroom and on-the-job application has been a growing concern to the sales training profession and of sales managers. "Curbstone Coaching," an on-the-job program in which sales managers train their sales representatives in selling skills is a possible solution. (JOW)

Tells the value to the author of working as an intern at a television station during the summer after his/her graduation from high school. (GT)

This study was an attempt to identify significant indicators of job training need. The variable "recency of job training" held the most promise as an indicator of job training need but other variables in the study warrant further investigation. (Author/CT)

Suggests that, while there are some good qualities among today's technical communicators, there are many weaknesses. Suggests some ways to eliminate such weaknesses. (TJ)

Addresses the literacy problem on American labor pool training, and suggests ways to combat the problem. These include: evaluating written/spoken materials for literacy levels, screening prospective employees through reading comprehension tests, and expanding the role of experimental learning (both simulation and reality training). (Author/JEG)

This article summarizes the results of a study to determine employers' hiring preferences for vocationally trained individuals, and illustrates the use of these data to more accurately estimate job openings. (Author)

What superintendents can do to help new board members. (Author)

Caputo and Cianni's study of women's training patterns by race, 1970-91, found that as the cohort matured, cumulative intensity of training accounted for a marginal variance in income. Adams critiques their model in terms of the effects of early childbearing and marriage on income. (SK)

Identifies major features of the German dual system of vocational education and apprenticeship: dual learning venues, public responsibility for training, self-government, private commitment to training, and the vocational principle. Suggests reasons why the German system may solve the qualifications problem but is unlikely to be emulated…

Recommends a dual strategy of investment in high wages/high technology and demand-led on-the-job skill acquisition, which will result in learning by doing at a higher technical level and relatively high productivity and return on investment. Offers this strategy as a replacement for costly publicly funded vocational training. (SK)

A survey of over 2,000 small and midsized enterprises in the West Midlands, England, found employers had relatively high awareness of and interest in National Vocational Qualifications but low actual implementation. Causes included negative experiences, high cost, inflexibility, and mismatch with needs. (SK)

A national survey of 693 Professional Secretaries International members (306 responses) showed that almost half are training coworkers in software use; more than one-quarter are training coworkers in hardware use; fewer than one-quarter have training included in their job descriptions; and very few have had training on how to train. (JOW)

An activity-oriented programmed examination describes an actual occupational situation involving a typical work assignment. It is a promising way to measure occupational competence through written examinations. (SK)