Responses from 97 of 500 British employers identified minimum and preferred qualifications for new employees. A substantial number specified no minimum level. Most do not value National Vocational Qualifications and favor academic qualifications for higher-status occupations. Those who specified minimum qualifications were more likely to train…

Australian (n=332) and British (n=234) students were asked what influenced their choice of academic or vocational education before they were employed, during employment, and for the future. Internal factors influenced academic choices; employers and funding influenced vocational choices. Some between-country and gender differences were found.…

Examples from road construction, mining, and other Australian industries show that the corporate sector has responded slowly to the introduction of a national framework for competency-based training. As industry bears more of the costs of training, it has yet to see returns in terms of productivity gains. (SK)

A case study of an Australian road construction company's skill development project is an example of an attempt to increase competitive advantage through competency acquisition. It remains to be seen whether reconstruction of the company will result in improved productivity and financial performance. (SK)