This Week's Herman Trend Alert

Protecting Perks in a Downturn
 

  The Herman Trend Alert

December 10, 2003

Education Curricula Shift

School systems theoretically design and adjust their curricula---the courses that are taught to their communities' children---based on needs in the local community and around the world. Even though graduates move into national and international employment arenas, education remains a local purview---at least in the United States. Different countries have different policies about how education is delivered to students.

The world is changing, more rapidly than many of us would like to acknowledge. These changes will necessitate alterations in the world's educational systems. Moving toward today's student needs, educators have increasingly focused on encouraging more students to qualify and enroll in four-year colleges and universities. Employers have sought applicants with degrees from these institutions, regardless of the relevancy of the educational experience to the requirements of the job.

Indications are that we will need a different kind of educational system in the years ahead. While employers still appreciate graduates having a broad range of knowledge, they are practically begging for young people who can think, collaborate, communicate, coordinate, and create. Managers are frustrated with employees that have proficiency in particular skills, but are unable to effectively apply those skills to achieve results. There is a growing need for workers who can adapt quickly by learning new skills or knowledge and applying those strengths quickly to respond to customer expectations.

Over the next 20 years, school curricula will be more geared toward teaching skills in learning and problem solving rather than mere factual knowledge. The shift will give even more attention to critical thinking, concept development, group work, project based learning, and similar aspects of applied knowledge and process skills.

Our educational systems around the world will be agonizingly slow to adapt to changing needs. The answer lies in adult education and the workplace. Universities offering continuing education courses to [working] adults will introduce more of what they may call soft courses. Corporations are already investing in teaching these emerging skills and will promote such courses more heavily in years ahead. Corporate trainers will deliver these learning opportunities to employees at all levels, giving their companies a competitive edge.


© Copyright 1998-2008 by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc."


CHALLENGED BY HEALTHCARE EMPLOYEE RETENTION?
Many healthcare HR professionals have told us their need for retaining skilled workers has not decreased. Join us in New Orleans and learn the low- and no-cost solutions to this workforce crisis. Help your healthcare organization recruit and retain the talent it must have to thrive. Recertification credit from HRCI. Next Healthcare Employee Retention Specialist(TM) Program: January 28-29 in New Orleans. Call Carol at 336-282-9370 or visit www.employeeretentionspecialist.com.

SEE JOYCE GIVING YOU SOLUTIONS FOR THESE CHALLENGING TIMES
Follow this special link (open ONLY 11/19 to 11/26) and see Joyce interviewed on Profitability Channel's Biz Buzz. Her topic: "Surviving and Thriving in Tough Economic Times". Or you may view Joyce's two previous shows or any of the other 280 programs on the Channel. Then consider taking the sponsor's very special "economic stimulus" offer: Save over $500 off the regular cost of membership by paying $299 up front, then get a total of $500 in rebate coupons to spend on food or fuel over the next 20 months. Yes, this is NOT a typo. You actually pay $300 and get back $500. The only catch is that you get back the $500, $25 at a time. Be sure to put in the promotional code of esp12 at the bottom. For more information, visit www.ProfitabilityChannel.com.

FIND OUT WHAT YOUR EMPLOYEES REALLY THINK AND FEEL
Discover what's really going on in the hearts and minds of your employees. Our InnerViews interviewing service uses SPHRs and PHRs, certified human resource professionals to probe for the information you really need to know. Exit and Stay Interviews, as well as Why-Didn't-You-Take-Our-Offer Interviews. Call Rosalie Catalano at 937-648-1918 or read more at: www.hermangroup.com/retentionconnection/exit_interviews.html.

To read this Herman Trend Alert on the web: http://www.hermangroup.com/alert/archive_9-24-2008.html.


Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers.

New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert.


Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert
View this week's Herman Trend Alert
Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         


[ Home · About · Products · Telebridge · Resources · Media ]

 
4057 Battleground Avenue
Greensboro, NC 27410
Voice: (336) 282-9370
Fax (714) 994-3628
Toll Free in US & Canada: (800) 227-3566
E-mail: info@hermangroup.com

  © 2008 The Herman Group. All rights reserved.

Web site design by WebEditor Design Services, Inc.