Workplace Skills in Practice: Case Studies of Technical Work

Stasz, Cathleen; Ramsey, Kimberly; Eden, Rick; Melamid, Elan; Kaganoff, Tessa

ISBN 10: 0833023683 / ISBN 13: 9780833023681

Published by RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California, 1996

About this Item

SOFTCOVER. Binding good, pen notes and underlining with typical yellowing. Some wear to cover.

Seller Inventory # aber84291

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Workplace Skills in Practice: Case Studies of Technical Work
• Publisher: RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California
• Publication Date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0833023683
• ISBN 13: 9780833023681
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Good
• Dimensions: 15.24W x 22.86H x 0.84D centimeters 15.24 centimeters width by 22.86 centimeters height by 0.84 centimeters depth
• Weight: 204 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Many believe that the workplace has changed in ways that require workers with higher and more varied skills--and that schools are not producing students with such skills. In this study, the authors sought to better understand skills required in technical work, the institutional context in which work takes place, and employers' strategies for meeting perceived skill requirements. The study used a sociocultural approach to examine skills and work-related dispositions (tendencies to use one's capabilities on the job) in four diverse industries. A rich picture emerged, demonstrating that work context matters in the consideration of skills: workplaces are complex, dynamic social systems that defy simplistic categorization of skills and straightforward matching of skill requirements to jobs. The study also found that employers do not necessarily understand the skills required, especially for frontline workers, nor adopt effective strategies for identifying and developing those skills. For example, employers have few connections to education providers and do not fully utilize industry skill certification. These and other findings raise questions about current public policy on school reform and skill standards.

From the Back Cover

This study explores skills and work-related dispositions in technical work. It adopts a sociocultural approach to closely examine skills in seven target jobs in worksites representing diverse industries--health care, traffic management, transportation, and semiconductor manufacturing. It explores employers' strategies for obtaining the skills they need under conditions of technological or organizational change.