The report describes a study of industry-sponsored upgrading programs for journeymen in construction unions. Interviews with union and training officials, as well as 405 journeymen and 99 contractors, revealed that upgrading activities were concentrated in electrical work, carpentry, and the pipe trades, and that both the number of programs and…

On every hand one hears youth asking: "Where can we find work?" Many young people of this generation have never had a steady job, have never experienced the pleasure that comes from contributing their share toward satisfying human needs. Some of them have spent several years in preparing themselves for definite kinds of work, but cannot now find…

Discusses the educational and social efforts of the Benevolent Mechanics Association in Petersburg, Virginia, between the years 1825 and 1857. Although economically prosperous, the southern mechanics (all skilled trades) established a night school for their apprentices in a bid for social acceptance. Examines the reasons for the school's failure.…

Perhaps more than any other measure of higher education, college completions provide an indication of the contributions of this important sector to the economy and to society at large. Measured by the number and kinds of degrees and certificates awarded during a given period, completions represent the output produced by colleges. Degree…

Studies have shown that instead of investing in the education and training (E&T) of their employees, many U.S. firms are taking advantage of the surplus of college-educated workers and are not considering the future quality or availability of work-related E&T. Research has also established that, despite the fact that increasing numbers of…

High school graduates who do not go on to higher education ("the forgotten half") can no longer expect to obtain steady employment at wages that can support a family. Their ability to compete for well-paying jobs is hampered by a lack of skilled training. In contrast, the labor market in the United States 50 years ago relied heavily on…

An examination of the conventional wisdom that the economy will face a labor shortage was done in three stages. First, the demand side of the labor market was analyzed. Changes in the skill requirements of jobs from 1973-86 were examined as were those changes anticipated by projections of the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2000. The conclusion was…

A program at Indian Hills Community College (Ottumwa, Iowa) consisted of a sex equity component aimed to prepare women to enter nontraditional occupations and a building trades component to enable electrical workers to upgrade their skills. Both of the targeted groups underwent assessment and upgrading coordinated through the college's SUCCESS…

Apprenticeship training is structured on-the-job training combined with related classroom instruction. Most apprenticeship training is paid for by private businesses, with some training paid for by organized labor. Some apprenticeship programs have been developed in correctional facilities, both federally operated and state-operated institutions.…

This booklet recounts the history of apprenticeship and describes its practice in the United States today. The booklet is organized in five sections. The first section outlines the early days of apprenticeship, telling how the system of indenture was imported from Europe, giving various examples of apprenticeship under that system, and describing…

IN 1963, PROGRAMS WERE PROVIDED IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, UNDER MDTA, ALL BUT ONE (HOSPITAL ORDERLIES) BEING UNION SPONSORED. THE MILLMEN AND CABINET WORKERS' LAYOUT COURSE FOR JOURNEYMEN SEEKING CERTIFICATION INVOLVED 12 WEEKS OF THEORETICAL AND ON-THE-JOB TRAINING. THE PROGRAM FOR ORDERLIES AT KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITAL ENROLLED 12 MEN FOR…

Examines trends in nature of work and workers' educational achievement levels in rural and urban regions. While most rural industries specialize in "routine" manufacturing, the South and West have grown in "complex" (often high-tech) manufacturing jobs. Suggests key to growth of complex jobs is worker education. (Author/TES)

Considers evolution of craft-training policies and practices in Kenya since 1945, with particular reference to engineering trades. Provides a case study of the process of occupational and training transfer from the metropolitan countries (Britain) to those in the periphery. Explores relationships between education/training and the labor market.…

Global competition, sweeping technological change, and demographic shifts in the labor force call for a national campaign to improve the skills and professionalism of the American workforce. This document calls for the creation of new learning partnerships throughout communities and workplaces to sustain middle-class jobs, pay the social costs of…

The economic upswing in Central and Eastern Europe can be achieved only with a skilled work force. In view of the traditional exemplary reputation of its dual system of vocational training, attention is being directed toward Germany. The dual system differs from that of other countries in that not only the state determines which qualifications may…