Building America's Skilled Technical Workforce
Building America's Skilled Technical Workforce

Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2017-06-04

Total Pages: 259

ISBN-13: 0309440068

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Skilled technical occupationsâ€"defined as occupations that require a high level of knowledge in a technical domain but do not require a bachelor's degree for entryâ€"are a key component of the U.S. economy. In response to globalization and advances in science and technology, American firms are demanding workers with greater proficiency in literacy and numeracy, as well as strong interpersonal, technical, and problem-solving skills. However, employer surveys and industry and government reports have raised concerns that the nation may not have an adequate supply of skilled technical workers to achieve its competitiveness and economic growth objectives. In response to the broader need for policy information and advice, Building America's Skilled Technical Workforce examines the coverage, effectiveness, flexibility, and coordination of the policies and various programs that prepare Americans for skilled technical jobs. This report provides action-oriented recommendations for improving the American system of technical education, training, and certification.

U.S. Trade Competitiveness and Work Force Education and Training
U.S. Trade Competitiveness and Work Force Education and Training

Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Ways and Means. Subcommittee on Trade

Publisher:

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 144

ISBN-13:

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This document reports the oral and written testimony submitted at a Congressional hearing on ways in which the government, business, and industry are working to improve the competitiveness of the U.S. work force through education and training initiatives. Witnesses included the following: U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich; U.S. Department of Education Assistant Secretary David Longanecker; Thomas Bailey, Columbia University Institute on Education and the Economy; Howard Rosen, Competitiveness Policy Council; Howard Samuel, Council on Competitiveness; Stanley Litow, IBM Foundation; Roberts Jones, National Alliance of Business; Leo Reddy, National Coalition for Advanced Manufacturing; and Sanford Weill, Travelers Group, New York. Their testimony focused on the need for national policy initiatives to reform schools and job training to produce a competitive work force with the skills needed for the next century. They suggested earlier emphasis on acquiring skills needed on the job, more focus on career education at earlier grades, and the necessity for employer input into the school mission. Programs that are fulfilling these ideals were described and the necessity for more collaborative efforts was emphasized. (KC)

Lifelong Learning Imperative in Engineering
Lifelong Learning Imperative in Engineering

Author: National Academy of Engineering

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2010-03-11

Total Pages: 39

ISBN-13: 030915264X

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The 21st century is witnessing a rapid increase in the pace of knowledge creation in the sciences and engineering. Competing in this global economy requires a science and engineering workforce that is consistently at the technological forefront. Dr. Charles Vest, President of the National Academy of Engineering, in a speech at the University of Michigan on October 15, 2007, put it simply: prospering in the knowledge age requires people with knowledge. The purpose of the Lifelong Learning Imperative Workshop, summarized in this volume, was to consider learning opportunities for the engineering professional. The participants in the workshop addressed the necessity of lifelong learning, the history of continuing education, possible delivery systems, systems used by other professions, and the current state of learning when viewed in the light of the rapid rate of technological change.

Global Reconstructions of Vocational Education and Training
Global Reconstructions of Vocational Education and Training

Author: James Avis

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2016-04-08

Total Pages: 164

ISBN-13: 1134914156

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Vocational education and training (VET) can be difficult to define since it is set in a turbulent and volatile environment marked by national and regional specificities. It can be delivered at different levels and by a variety of providers, including community colleges, colleges of further education, polytechnics and universities, as well as, importantly, private providers. This collection reflects the shifting and often messy conceptualisations of VET. On one level VET can be associated with the education and training of craft/skilled workers, or of those who are being prepared for a particular occupational destiny and specific position in the labour market. In this instance, notions of skill, knowledge and dispositions are significant. On another level, it can raise questions over power and class formation, in addition to the way in which these are mediated or intersect with race and gender. Moreover, there are important political questions addressing the significance of VET in furthering social cohesion and economic regeneration in times of austerity when neoliberalism is hegemonic. The chapters in this book are not all of a piece, but each in its turn raises important questions about VET, its relationship to the economy, as well as its global setting. This book was originally published as a special issue of Globalisation, Societies and Education.