Balancing the Skills Equation


Book Description

Governments worldwide assume that national competitiveness can be improved by developing workforce skills. This book critically examines this 'high skills' vision at both policy and practice levels. It challenges an oversimplified policy rhetoric that underestimates the complexity of the processes involved in developing a skilled workforce. The book focuses on key issues relating to the high skills agenda: skills and political economy; different investment strategies for producing skills; qualification systems and learning. A multidisciplinary team of authors from a range of disciplines, including economics, management and education, provides the cross-cutting international and comparative analysis. Editorial comment links their explorations to wider questions of skill formation processes and overarching questions are addressed through in-depth analysis of the roles of higher education, apprenticeship and formal school learning in skill formation.




Learn to succeed


Book Description

This is the first book to draw together the evidence on the 'case' for skills and to examine the policies appropriate to achieving 'skills for all'. Learn to succeed: argues that raising skill levels is crucial to both economic success and social inclusion; demonstrates the benefits of higher skill levels to people, to companies and to communities; synthesises a wide range of materials in one convenient volume, providing a reference source on the issues; deals with the issues at both national and local levels; sets out a clear agenda for action. Learn to succeed is essential reading for policy makers and practitioners in national, regional and local government departments and agencies, and is also recommended for students and academics on courses at undergraduate and graduate level in applied economics, education or public policy.




Working to Learn


Book Description

International in scope, Working to Learn brings together acknowledged experts in this field. Taking both evidence-based and analytical perspectives, the book challenges many of the generalizations about the changing nature of work and skills, and identifies the workplace itself a critical site for access to learning. In doing so, it develops an illuminating perspective on the social context of the modern workplace and highlights the implications of change for management, for the regulat.




The Oxford Handbook of Skills and Training


Book Description

Skills and workforce development are at the heart of much research on work, employment, and management. But are they so important? To what extent can they make a difference for individuals, organizations, and nations? How are the supply and, more importantly, the utilization of skill, currently evolving? What are the key factors shaping skills trajectories of the future? This Handbook provides an authoritative consideration of issues such as these. It does so by drawing on experts in a wide range of disciplines including sociology, economics, labour/industrial relations, human resource management, education, and geography. The Handbook is relevant for all with an interest in the changing nature - and future - of work, employment, and management. It draws on the latest scholarly insights to shed new light on all the major issues concerning skills and training today. While written primarily by leading scholars in the field, it is equally relevant to policy makers and practitioners responsible for shaping the development of human capability today and into the future.




Employability and Local Labour Markets


Book Description

The concept of employability has provided a foundation for much current labour market policy. It has also provided a useful framework for analyzing national and urban labour markets and related policies in a variety of different circumstances both for those in and out of work. The papers in this book help progress the concept of employability, demonstrating the importance of the geographic and spatial context, and showing its flexibility and usefulness as a basis for theory, analysis and policy. The papers are divided into two main sections: understanding the concept of employability lessons for labour market policy in changing labour markets. The chapters also provide general insights into many current labour market policy debates. As employability continues to be the foundation of many labour market policies, this volume considers the economic and geographical dimensions of employability in local labour market analysis and policy. This book was previously published as a special issue of the journal Urban Studies.







Supporting Language and Communication


Book Description

′This is a readable book that has a lot of content at a level that teaches the reader about Language and Communication while at the same time guiding him/her to develop professionally by providing frequent activities....It is a very good resource for frequent referral and consultation′ - Naplic Anyone working with children knows about the current debate surrounding the need for development of effective communication skills. This book examines aspects of communication, and considers how a positive learning environment can nurture a good understanding of communication. Teaching Assistants will find this book helps them to acquire a portfolio of skills and strategies that they can call on to provide optimum support when working with children in a variety of situations. Contents include: - an exploration of current issues, such as the difference between home and school language - how to communicate material and information effectively to pupils so that learning is optimised - a consideration of the needs of particular groups of speakers - what might be the consequences of poor communication skills, and how to address these difficulties The content of the book relates to both Early Years and Primary, and there are case studies from a variety of settings. Anyone studying for a Foundation Degree, or working towards Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) status, will find this book meets their needs. Rosemary SAGE is Senior Lecturer at the University of Leicester, and is also the director of the Centre for Innovation in Research for Educational Achievement. She runs a variety of LEA course for teaching assistants around the country. She has published extensively, mostly with a focus on communication. Min Wilkie is Programme Leader for the Foundation Degree in Educational Studies for Teaching Assistants at the University of Leicester.




Labour Market Trends


Book Description




Skills in the Age of Over-Qualification


Book Description

Across the developed world, most of us who work now earn our living in the service sector. However, the issue of what kind of service economy is sustainable and desirable, both in economic and social terms, is rarely debated. This book argues that this needs to change. National governments have emphasised the role of skills in achieving international competitiveness, higher living standards, and social inclusion. However, even prior to the 2008 financial crisis, problems of over-qualification, skills wastage, and poor job quality were becoming difficult to ignore. This raises important questions about what kind of service sector jobs will be on offer to meet the aspirations of an increasingly qualified workforce and what role can governments play in raising the skills required in jobs and the quality of jobs and services? Work organisation and job design are key factors shaping the skill content of work and the opportunities workers have to deploy their skills and capabilities. Through cross-national comparative research, this book examines whether and why service sector jobs vary across countries. Drawing upon detailed empirical research, the jobs of vocational teacher, fitness instructor, and café worker in the UK, Norway, and France are compared, allowing an exploration of the role of national institutions, sectors, and organisations in shaping work organisation and job quality. The findings contribute to the comparative study of work organisation, the relationship between skills and performance, the role and purpose of education and the prospects for better jobs in 'the age of over-qualification'.




Workplace Learning in Context


Book Description

Combining a critical analysis of the organizational and employment context of workplace learning with an understanding of theories of learning, this text focuses on new ideas and on understanding the social context of the workplace.