Training in America: The Organization and Strategic Role of Training. ASTD Best Practices Series: Training for a Changing Work Force. First Edition.

Part 1 The players - institutions, employees, trainees: who provides training - the education system, formal apprenticeship programs, second change training, the career support system, the training industry and its economic impact how the employer-based training system works - history of learning in the workplace, the common thread is applied learning, training systems - structure and organization, distribution of training funds who receives training - occupational patterns and needs - managerial personnel, non-technical professionals, clerical personnel, sales personnel, customer service personnel, service employees, technical workers. Part 2 Partnerships to meet training needs: learning partnerships - how employers form linkages with training providers - forming linkages - a common business transaction, examining the make-or-buy decision, what can employers purchase from providers?, identifying providers partnerships in action - vendors and consultants, educational institutions, trade and professional associations, unions, community-based organizations, the Federal government, business to business, public funding sources and intermediaries selecting and using providers for different types of training - executive development, management development, supervisory training, technical professionals' training, international training, sales training, safety training, customer service training, clerical training, technical and skills training. Part 3 Building the strategic role of training: organizational strategies and training roles - definition of a "Competitive Strategy", value of a strategic approach, training for internal growth, training for external growth, training for disinvestment gathering strategic information - questions to ask - human resources issues, considerations specific to each strategy, market development, product development, innovation, joint ventures, diversification, divestiture/liquidation connecting training to strategic decision making - practical approaches - choosing an approach, building support from the bottom up, gaining visibility, tapping into leadership support, compulsory training, how to respond to resistance. Part 4 Policy recommendations - how employers, educators and government can impove training: connect training to performance, decentralize learning systems, improve employer-educator dialogue, strengthen ITPA practices and programs, provide developmental assistance to the disadvantaged, create craft programs for the dislocated.