Search results

This article appears in Chapter 2 - Re-engineering, which presents some options on how to reengineer technician education and training (TET) systems and institutions. Norton introduces his topic by noting two key changes in current economic conditions: the need to link TET to the needs of private sector business and industry; and the realistic expectation of less government funding for education in light of shrinking revenues and growing populations. He analyses the new conditions and asserts that a skilled workforce is the primary determinant of growth and that technical colleges must respond by developing linkages with the private sector. Governments must accept these changes and understand the new roles, encouraging the linkages and providing training so that senior managers can be effective in the market-oriented environment. Norton then examines the government financing of TET and presents a series of steps that are important in changing employer attitudes. Strategies are presented to help the linkages, in particular the development of Employment Skills Units (ESUs) and the encouragement of continuing education. Norton concludes by asserting that industry will not wait indefinitely for government TET institutions to begin meeting their needs. They can keep within the higher education sector and become the 'perennial poor brothers of the universities' or they can develop successful and enriching linkages with employers and industry and take part in the economic growth of the country.