Business is recognizing that the associate degree is a necessity in high technology fields. Innovative practices link businesses with community colleges, allowing apprentices to gain basic job skills and a higher education. A research study explored three industries and their relationship with community colleges: automotive, construction, and…

This article states that constant changing workplace technology requirements have placed a burden on the employees to remain competent. This problem can be alleviated by community colleges that offer credentials in different occupations. Community colleges can aid in the creation of new jobs by providing students with the skills that are highly…

Presents findings from a case study of factors influencing successful cooperative apprenticeship programs. Indicates that apprenticeships are cost-effective mechanisms for bringing together the human and capital resources within a community to solve human resource education and business training needs. (21 citations). (MAB)

The Maritime Trades Program is a cooperative training program that was established through the joint efforts of 14 shipyards in the Tidewater area of Virginia. Established in 1980, the program originally operated under the guidelines imposed by the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA). Now, however, the program operates in accordance…

Describes Norwalk Community College's (Connecticut) continuing workplace education courses, which are linked to industry certification requirements, particularly in information technology. Asserts that skills certification gives students portable and marketable assets, serves business needs for skilled workers, and provides colleges with…

This monograph focuses on job training delivered through employer-sponsored cooperative apprenticeships with the community college. Following an introduction, chapter 2 looks at job training and cooperative apprenticeships, including recent legislative efforts to promote linkages and cooperative apprenticeships through tech prep initiatives.…

Major auto manufacturers have developed cooperative apprenticeship programs with community colleges, offering alternating periods of study and work experience under the supervision of master technicians. (SK)

Describes a criterion-referenced test development process that promises to bring a vocational program closer to the business and industrial community by providing opportunities for their representatives to assist in designing test instruments and by creating opportunities for industry-education partnerships through the test validating and updating…

Describes a study of the interorganizational arrangements involving community colleges that result in exemplary job training and job creation outcomes. Applies a case study approach and a hypothesized model of the linkages between population, industry, and occupational characteristics; and workplace and marketplace conditions to analyze five…

Case studies of cooperative apprenticeships in Naval shipyards and maritime industries identify the benefits of mutual exchanges: access to external funds, appropriate mediation of conflicts, and models for formal contracts. Business-community college partnerships can learn from these examples how to establish working relationships for…

A three-phase comprehensive process for commercial nuclear power training program evaluation is presented. The discrepancy-based methodology was developed after the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor accident. It facilitates analysis of program components to identify discrepancies among program specifications, actual outcomes, and industry…

Summarizes the six articles included in this special issue, which discuss evaluation of human performance in critical skills occupations; strategic planning for safety in high-risk occupations; performance and training effectiveness decisions; performance indicators for training evaluation; evaluation of a nuclear training program; and a model for…

This paper discusses and describes an industry-based process for the design and development of criterion-referenced tests in vocational-technical subject areas to support vocational program evaluations. The following topics are covered in the paper: (1) use of criterion-referenced tests; (2) test design; (3) preparation of test materials; and (4)…

This study was undertaken to identify facilitators barriers to effective linkages of secondary education and other training programs with registered apprenticeship programs. Analysis was conducted through case studies and surveys of programs that were identified nationally. U.S. apprenticeship programs had the following weaknesses: variable…

This paper describes a formative/summative process for educational program evaluation, which is appropriate for higher education programs and is based on M. Provus' Discrepancy Evaluation Model and the principles of instructional design. The Discrepancy Based Methodology for Educational Program Evaluation facilitates systematic and detailed…