
Welcome back -
Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a federal holiday in the United States; the university is, of course, closed. To honor Dr. King, I’d like to begin a conversation about the role of Training & Development (T&D) and Human Performance Improvement (HPI) in helping to turn around the economy and in helping people to develop new practical skills or to improve their existing skills. The New York Times is running a series of articles on the theme of ‘Learn to Earn’ or vocational training. If you would like to participate in the conversation, please read the article available at the following link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/business/states-pay-to-train-workers-to-companies-benefit.html
After reading the article, and perhaps viewing any accompanying videos, add your thoughts about how our field could improve the work that is being done. What makes a job training program work? What could be done to improve what is going on? If possible, give not just your personal opinion but also provide data to support your viewpoint. I am looking forward to engaging with you on this very important topic.
The Ground Rules: Though there are clearly political—and politically fiscal/tax—implications to job training programs and their funding, let’s refrain from addressing them and keep the focus on T&D and HPI as contributors to this endeavor. Remember, social justice is 24-7.
Vince Cyboran, Ed.D.
Associate Professor,
Graduate Program in Training and Development

Guest Blogger: Juergen Juffa
Guest Blogger: Carmen
The myth: The way in which we design and deliver instruction for adults (andragogy) is very different from the way in which we design and deliver instruction for children (pedagogy).