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We examined the acquisition of incidental information and observational learning of incidental information by adolescents with moderate intellectual disabilities during school-directed systematic instruction. Effectiveness of constant time-delay instruction for vocational-skill acquisition was evaluated within a multiple-probe design across six dyads. Dyadic instructional arrangements allowed the assessment of incidental information acquired through observation. The constant time-delay procedure was effective in teaching the target vocational skill. In addition, participants acquired and retained approximately 50% of the incidental information to which they were exposed during the consequent events of constant time-delay instruction either through direct verbal presentation or through observation of their peers' instruction.

This paper provides a non-technical review of the evidence on the returns to education and training for the individual, the firm and the economy at large. It begins by reviewing the empirical work that has attempted to estimate the true causal effect of education and training on individual earnings, focusing on the recent literature that has attempted to control for potential biases in the estimated returns to education and training. It then moves on to review the literature that has looked at the returns from human capital investments to employers. Lack of suitable data and methodological difficulties have resulted in a paucity of studies that have carried out sound empirical work on this issue. In the final part of the review, we look at the work that has tried to assess the contribution of human capital to national economic growth at the macroeconomic level. This work has generally involved using either a 'growth accounting' theoretical framework or 'new growth' theories. Although the empirical macroeconomic evidence that accompanies this work does not generally allow one to distinguish between the two approaches, there is a substantial body of evidence on the contribution of education to economic growth.

Baker and confectioner apprentices have been included in a prospective follow-up study in the region of East Thuringia, to evaluate risk factors for the development of hand dermatitis. Starting in August 1996, the apprentices have been interviewed and examined in a standardized way right at the beginning (n = 91) of their vocational training, 6 (n = 79) and 12 months (n = 63) later. To gain objective data, TEWL score was also assessed at 3 standardized sites on the hands. In their case histories, 3.3% (n = 3) of the apprentices reported hand dermatitis. The 1st assessment after 2 to 4 weeks vocational training revealed hand eczema in 17.5% (n = 16) of the individuals. At the follow-up after 6 months of training 29.1% (n = 23), and after 12 month of training 27.0% (n = 17), of the apprentices had hand dermatitis of mild to moderate severity. Within 6 months, the TEWL scare rose significantly (p < 0.001) from 11.9 g m-2 h-1 (± 5.4) to 16.8 g m-2 h-1 (± 9.5). After 12 months, the TEWL score was 14.9 g m-2 h-1 (± 4.6). For the atopic skin diathesis (> 10 points of Diepgen's atopy score), there was a significant tendency to be a predictive factor for the development of occupational hand dermatitis. TEWL score failed to correlate with the development of skin damage in our study. The same was true for respiratory atopy and metal sensitization.

The theoretical foundations of competency-based education are described. Among these are definitions of learning in terms of the situations one can function in rather than the accumulation of knowledge or skills, and of professional growth as a succession of stages from novice to expert. Competence is the midpoint on this continuum where individuals are capable of practicing independently and of assuming responsibility for their continued professional growth. Dental education has functioned well at the early stages of this process, but the assumption that "more of the same" will complete the process is questioned. Also considered are the implications of competency in the political context of dentistry, in curriculum design, and for evaluation. © Munksgaard, 1998.

Objective: Occupational skin changes in hairdressers are very common. Morbidity, however, has not yet been quantified precisely. Methods: A cohort of 2352 hairdressing apprentices (of the 2570 invited to participate, i.e., 91.5% response) was prospectively followed for the duration of their vocational training (3 years) by three examinations. Three waves (years) were recruited in 1992, 1993, and 1994 from 15 vocational training schools in northwestern Germany. Results: The point prevalence of (mostly slight) irritant skill changes of the hands increased from 35.4% in the initial examination to 47.5% in the intermediate examination and to 55.1% in the final examination. Given a more conservative definition of a case of 'hand dermatitis,' these estimates were 12.9%, 23.5%, and 23.9%, respectively. Altogether, 34.3 and 15.2 cases of 'skin changes (any degree)' and 'hand dermatitis,' respectively, in 100 person-years were observed during the study period. The incidence rate, i.e., the number of newly diseased study participants in relation to the person-time at risk contributed, decreased in the course of the study. The proportion of dropouts until final follow-up was 51.8%. Conclusion: The present results appear to lie in a range with those found in other, much smaller cohort studies. However, comparison of the results is hampered either by the lack of a clear definition or by a different definition of 'person-time at risk' or 'a case of hand dermatitis.' As compared with an external control group of office apprentices, the incidence was several times higher in hairdressing apprentices, which points to the high risk for skin damage in this occupation.

Objective: To describe current patterns of employment, career intentions and factors that influence career choice in young graduates. Design: A cross-sectional postal survey. Subjects: Graduates from the years 1991 and 1994 were selected to provide cohorts before and after the introduction of mandatory vocational training. A total of 232 graduates were sent questionnaires and 183 replied (77%): 90 men (49%) and 93 women (51%). Setting: The cohorts all came from Scottish dental schools. When surveyed in 1996/1997, 66% were working in Scotland and 28% were in England. The rest were elsewhere in the UK or abroad. Measures: A questionnaire which had been piloted, applied to medical graduates and then adapted for dentists, was used. Results: The most common post held was that of Associate in General Dental Practice (61% of the sample) and the majority (85%) were working full-time. Only small numbers indicated that they wished to undertake a career in academia (6) or the hospital dental service (17). In choosing a career, males were more influenced by financial factors (P = 0.009) and women by the availability of part-time employment (P = 0.000). Conclusion: Despite the recent adverse publicity about general dental practice, most young dentists see their future in this sector of the profession. More worrying is the comparatively small number who wish to work within the hospital service or in academia. Results also indicate the need to develop schemes to retain women in the workforce.

All Inter/Intranet commercial and industrial applications need a stable and secure computer and network infrastructure. This infrastructure is typically a large, heterogeneous population of networked PC's that need to be managed by a specialist support group. Market analysis clearly indicates that these specialists need a portfolio of skills and knowledge not supplied by traditional accredited computer science courses. Although Edith Cowan University (ECU) was recently granted level 1 re-Accreditation of its Computer Science Degree by the Australian Computer Society it was clear that, on completion of their studies, their graduates could not design, install, maintain or manage a networked population of PC's to a professional standard with due regard to safety, both to themselves and the equipment. Further, it was noted that the current degree provides few options to study Health & Safety, Law and Technology, Finance or human Resource Management - issues that a graduate must address in preparation for a professional career in computer and network management. Indications are that this is also the case within other universities in Australia and the UK. This paper proposes a new competency based curriculum, referenced to international practices and articulated to non-university educational programs, to meet market need This paper also presents results from the implementation of part of this curriculum. © 1998 ACM.

This paper aims to highlight the main debates in the field of skill development in a UK context. We begin with an examination of the economic and labour market conditions and their potential implications for skill development. The supply of training and development is examined through a critique of policy developments in both initial and continuing education and training. Original survey data are used in combination with national statistical sources and other survey findings to present a picture of human resource development activity within organisations. In conclusion the paper considers the implications of national policy and economic and labour market conditions for the state, employers and the individual. © 1998, MCB UP Limited

During the vocational training of apprentices in the hairdresser's trade (n=169) and nursing care (n=255) in East Thuringia, an epidemiologic study was carried out between 1992 and 1993. The trainees were interviewed in a standardized way and had to undergo dermatologic examinations right at the beginning of their apprenticeship, six months (for the hairdressing apprentices) respectively twelve months (for the hairdressing and nursing apprentices) after they had started the apprenticeship and at the nd of the apprenticeship. In their case histories, 6.7% (n=17) of the nursing apprentices and 1.8% (n=3) of the hairdressing apprentices showed hand eczema. During the primary examination, 15.3 % (n=34) of the nursing apprentices and 17.8 % (n=30) of the hairdressing apprentices showed hand eczema. During the first follow-up examination the percentage of the persons showing hand eczema had increased to 24.9 % (n=49) respectively 39.5 % (n= 60). The final examination showed a slight decrease in the percentage of hand eczema for both professional groups. Although the majority of patients had regularly used skin care products, there was a high percentage of skin diseases of the hand among the trainees. An atopic skin diathesis (> 10 points according to Diepgen) could be identified as risk factor. Metal sensitization or respiratory atopy could not be associated with the development of hand eczema.

By the end of 1998, nationally recognised industry competency standards - including occupational health and safety (OHS) skills - will have been set for the majority of industries which make up the Australian economy. These standards, along with new ways of delivering training and assessing workplace skills, an influx of private training organisations into the vocational training system, and the introduction of school-based workers through new apprenticeships and traineeships, have all occurred with little attention from the OHS sector. This paper describes recent changes to the vocational education and training (VET) system in Australia, the impact of these structural and philosophical changes for the OHS sector and current approaches to prevention in the workplace. In particular, impacts on the OHS regulatory system, training arrangements and the professional and technical skill base are discussed. Current interventions designed to maintain effective standards of OHS training and practice are outlined.