How can America achieve a high-skilled workforce in the twenty-first century?

Citation

(2001), "How can America achieve a high-skilled workforce in the twenty-first century?", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 33 No. 7. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict.2001.03733gab.014

How can America achieve a high-skilled workforce in the twenty-first century?

How can America achieve a high-skilled workforce in the twenty-first century?

Keywords: Learning, Information technology, Skills, USA

Due to recent technological advances, a learning revolution will take place in the years ahead, according to ASTD/NGA's new report A Vision of E-learning for America's Workforce. The report is the result of a year-long commission convened by ASTD (The American Society for Training & Development) and NGA (National Governors Association) to examine the impacts of technology on workplace learning, and provides actionable recommendations to CEOs and governors.

Susan Burnett, Director of Enterprise Workforce Development, at Hewlett-Packard, and Chair of ASTD's Board of Directors, said: "At Hewlett-Packard, we are doing more e-learning than ever, and we are committed to implementing many of the recommendations in the ASTD/NGA report." Burnett was a member of the commission.

Stephen E. Merrill, former Governor of New Hampshire and commission co-chair, said: "Because e-learning offers increased opportunities for attaining and developing the skills necessary for good jobs, productivity and economic growth, building a successful e-learning future should be a priority for both the public and private sectors. Governors and CEOs have a unique opportunity to provide leadership on this issue in the months and years ahead."

ASTD/NGA's report focuses on e-learning for adults in the workplace and includes three priority categories for action:

1. 1.

   quality;

2. 2.

   assessment and certification;

3. 3.

   access.

Broad recommendations are as follows:

• •

  Create the highest quality e-learning experiences possible.

• •

  Implement new measures and methods for assessing and certifying what individuals know and are able to do.

• •

  Ensure broad and equitable access to e-learning opportunities.

William Wiggenhorn, former president of Motorola University, also served as co-chair of the ASTD/NGA commission. The report is available at www.astd.org/publicpolicy and www.nga.org