In 2010 ACT sponsored a strategic workforce development summit with several prominent community college presidents from across the country. The presidents provided diverse perspectives about how to effectively prepare and validate a prepared workforce. This paper represents, in part, key elements of that discussion as well as what they think is a…

The Career Development Association of Australia (CDAA) congratulates the Commonwealth Government on the development of the National Career Development Strategy Green Paper. This is a timely and important document that provides a framework to demonstrate the central contribution that career development services play in supporting individuals,…

Australia appears to be in the grip of a "literacy crisis" in workplaces. Media reports and industry/skills organisations are decrying the low literacy and numeracy levels of workers and the negative effects these have on productivity. As a consequence, the Australian government has increased funding for workplace literacy and numeracy…

The American Association of Community Colleges' (AACC) Plus 50 Initiative (2008-2011), funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies, was created to build the capacity of community colleges nationwide to develop programming that engages the plus 50 learner. The Initiative supported a pilot group of 13 two-year institutions to develop or expand college…

Includes "National Education Goals/America 2000: The Budget"; "Current Status of Proposed Solutions"; "America 2000: An Education Strategy"; "America 2000 Questions and Answers; "Bottom-up Reform from the Top Down" (Chubb); and "The Federal Role Comes of Age" (Doyle). (SK)

This second annual report of the National Commission for Manpower Policy focuses on an employment strategy to attain the goal of full employment. In Section I the Commission's recommendations from the text are summarized into twenty steps to establish an employment strategy. Section II provides background information on the definition of…

The development of the University of Technology in Baghdad, Iraq, is discussed, illustrating how it has adjusted its work to national needs as expressed in national development plans. As industry in Iraq has broadened its scope, the curriculum in the university has widened. (Author/MLW)

In Canada, responsibility for the career development delivery system is divided among federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal levels of government. Education comes under provincial/territorial jurisdiction. Career development varies across provinces and often from school to school. There are eight transition points throughout the school…

In Ireland, the delivery of career guidance is strong in the education sector but relatively weak in the labor market sector. At the same time, it appears that most initiatives related to career guidance have been developed on an ad hoc basis. This is also true for initiatives related to labor market services, trade unions, and employers. It has…

In Hong Kong, career guidance and employment services for secondary school students and the public at large are provided by the Education Department, the Labour Department, and the Hong Kong Association of Careers Masters and Guidance Masters. These organizations work together to provide career information, guidance, and employment assistance. The…

Discusses factors contributing to the declining U.S. productivity growth rate and compares U.S. production to Germany and Japan. Presents model programs that have recognized the need to develop in people the desire to work, study, improve, and become more productive citizens. (LRA)

The education sector of New Zealand was restructured in 1989. Career Services was created by integrating the Vocational Guidance Service and careers information functions from the Department of Labor. The goal of the Career Services is to assist in the achievement of government education, training, and employment goals through high quality…

The Department of Education and Employment is responsible for the system of education and training in England, including careers information, education, and guidance. After the age of 16, when education is no longer compulsory, young people have a variety of choices. Training is available from private and public sector providers. Career…

Saudi Arabia is attempting to build an indigenous skilled labor force to meet manpower needs. The system includes five secondary vocational industrial schools, the Higher Technical Institute, prevocational and vocational training centers using competency-based, mediated instructional materials, and mobile training units for isolated areas. (SK)

Since Iraq gained independence in the 1930s and particularly since it became a republic in the 1950s and began earning oil revenue, efforts to improve Iraqi education have received increasing attention. By 1984 the educational system had achieved the ability to enroll every child reaching the age of six, and a national campaign to reduce…