Multi-skilling in small- and medium-sized engineering firms: evidence from Wales and Germany
Article Abstract:
Workers in European manufacturing firms are becoming increasingly multi-skilled, in response to the rise of technological innovations, decentralization and smaller firms. A study into multi-skilling developments of selected Welsh and German small to medium sized engineering companies found German workers were driven more by job security than motivation to embrace multi-skilling, whereas Welsh workers were more willing to embark on multi-skilling initiatives. This could be a result of the UK education system, which encourages practical learning rather than theory.
Publication Name: International Journal of Human Resource Management
Subject: Human resources and labor relations
ISSN: 0958-5192
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Skills-based full employemnt: the latest philospher's stone
Article Abstract:
The gaining of knowledge and skills is is viewed as both a challenge and an important opportunity to achieve a return to full employment. Policies to encourage such up-skilling are necessary, as the abolition of low-skilled worked would reduce the need for social policy. However, individual firms are the main source of vocational skills and many are developing a whole-firm strategy. Government agencies are also trying to work close to firms' needs. There has been a return to apprenticeship models of VET in many countries, but this is not without problems.
Publication Name: British Journal of Industrial Relations
Subject: Human resources and labor relations
ISSN: 0007-1080
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Do work-force skills matter?
Article Abstract:
Investment in skills in the private-sector and government is studied in light of an analysis of the Institute of Economic Affairs' (IEA) publication 'Training Too Much? A Sceptical Look at the Economics of Skill Provision in the UK.' The degree to which present-day policies are likely to create self-sustained economic growth is considered, and the areas in which work-force skills should be improved are also suggested. The IEA publication compares training in Germany with that in the UK.
Publication Name: British Journal of Industrial Relations
Subject: Human resources and labor relations
ISSN: 0007-1080
Year: 1993
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Management training in small and medium-sized enterprises: methodological and conceptual issues. Cleaning and the work-life balance
- Abstracts: Making employee self-service work for employees and your company. It's not enough to offer work/life programs - you need to promote them
- Abstracts: More than nine in ten organisations experience culture change. Performance appraisal found in most organisations
- Abstracts: Steps to successful fund management for small, medium sized firms. Chile's private pension system at 18
- Abstracts: All change on the pensions front? Nick Barton, special agent of change