Skilled technical occupationsâ€"defined as occupations that require a high level of knowledge in a technical domain but do not require a bachelor's degree for entryâ€"are a key component of the U.S. economy. In response to globalization and advances in science and technology, American firms are demanding workers with greater proficiency in literacy and numeracy, as well as strong interpersonal, technical, and problem-solving skills. However, employer surveys and industry and government reports have raised concerns that the nation may not have an adequate supply of skilled technical workers to achieve its competitiveness and economic growth objectives. In response to the broader need for policy information and advice, Building America's Skilled Technical Workforce examines the coverage, effectiveness, flexibility, and coordination of the policies and various programs that prepare Americans for skilled technical jobs. This report provides action-oriented recommendations for improving the American system of technical education, training, and certification.

Globally, women are facing social, economic, and cultural barriers impeding their autonomy and agency. Accelerated women empowerment programs often fail to attain their targets as envisaged by the policymakers due to a variety of reasons, with the most prominent being the deep-rooted cultural norms ingrained within society. In the era of globalization, empowerment of women demands new approaches and strategies that encourage the mainstreaming of gender equality as a societal norm. The Handbook of Research on New Dimensions of Gender Mainstreaming and Women Empowerment is a critical scholarly publication that examines global gender issues and new strategies for the promotion of women empowerment and gender mainstreaming in various spheres of women’s lives, including education and ICT, economic participation, health and sexuality, mental health, aging, law and judiciary, leadership, and decision making. It provides a comprehensive coverage of all major gender issues with novel ideas on gender mainstreaming being contributed by men and women authors from multidisciplinary backgrounds. Gender perspective and intersectional approach in the discourses make this handbook a unique contribution to the scholarship of social sciences and humanities. The book provides new theoretical inputs and practical directions to academicians, sociologists, social workers, psychologists, managers, lawyers, policy makers, and government officials in their efforts at gender mainstreaming. With a wide range of conceptual richness, this handbook is an excellent reference guide to students and researchers in programs pertaining to gender/women's studies, cultural studies, economics, sociology, social work, medicine, law, and management.

Sporting mega events are playing an increasingly important role in the governance of community regeneration and development across the globe. This book examines the ways in which sporting organisations engage with local communities through projects that target youth, health or social issues and act as key partners in governance mechanisms. Showcasing original research to suggest that sporting organisations, mega events and legacies are now operating as governing instruments in renewal programmes, it sheds new light on the role that sport plays in community regeneration and development on an international scale. Drawing on the interpretivist approach to governance which bridges theory and practice, the book considers how relationships between sporting mega events, legacies and local communities are evolving to foster trust and encourage participation. With international case studies from the UK, Brazil and South Africa, it reflects on best practice in relation to governance structure, funding mechanisms and partnerships. Sport, Community Regeneration, Governance and Development: A Comparative Global Perspective is fascinating reading for all students and scholars with an interest in governance, sport development, sport policy, sport management or the sociology of sport.

Despite examples of vocational guidance practice being evident in Australia since the mid-1800s, there remains a spasmodic and patchwork approach to practice across the country. For decades it is a field which has been paradoxically boosted and challenged by changing economic and political agendas. Repeated international, national and State reviews emphasise the vital nature of a systemic national approach to career development, however authors repeatedly lament the lack of a sustained focus on career activity as a major national priority. There is no broad comprehensive historical reckoning of the history of career development theory and practice in Australia since this early period. Career development theory and practice in Australia has been forged in partnership with developments in an international context. In documenting the shared history with other countries, the author significantly adds to the body of knowledge on career development as a field in Australia and internationally. The book provides new understandings about the historical development of this field of knowledge, and in particular the challenging and cyclical nature of its policy history.

The Globalization of Internationalization is a timely text which gives voice to emerging perspectives as an increasing range of countries engage in the process of internationalization. The pressure to internationalize cannot be ignored by institutions anywhere in today’s world, yet the dominant paradigms in the conception of internationalization traditionally come from the English-speaking world and Western Europe. This book sets out to offer alternative viewpoints. Different dimensions and interpretations of internationalization in countries and regions whose perspectives have received little attention to date provide food for thought, and help to broaden understanding of its application in alternative contexts. Combining diverse perspectives from around the world, this new volume in the Internationalization in Higher Education series seeks answers to key questions such as: What are the main characteristics of internationalization viewed from different cultural and regional backgrounds and how do they differ from traditional models such as in Western Europe, North America and Australasia? What issues in different global contexts have an impact on internationalization processes? What are the key challenges and obstacles encountered in developing innovative and non-traditional models of internationalization? With contributions from world-renowned international authors, and perspectives from countries and contexts seen only rarely in the literature, The Globalization of Internationalization offers distinctive overviews and insights while exploring a range of thematic and regional issues arising from these considerations. This will be essential reading both as an academic resource and a practical manual for university leaders, academics, higher education policy advisers and non-governmental organizations which fund higher education.