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Combatting program fragmentation: Local systems of vocational education and job training
Author(s) -
Grubb W. Norton,
McDonnell Lorraine M.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of policy analysis and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.898
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1520-6688
pISSN - 0276-8739
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1520-6688(199621)15:2<252::aid-pam5>3.0.co;2-i
Subject(s) - vocational education , competition (biology) , fragmentation (computing) , variety (cybernetics) , work (physics) , training (meteorology) , business , service (business) , public relations , political science , economic growth , economics , marketing , geography , computer science , engineering , mechanical engineering , ecology , artificial intelligence , meteorology , biology , operating system
As the number of local institutions that train individuals for employment has grown, policymakers have become concerned about possible duplication and wasteful competition. Potential solutions to this perceived problem typically revolve around strategies for encouraging greater coordination among local education and training agencies. Yet little is known about either the extent of duplication in local communities or about interactions among institutions. To begin to fill this gap, we conducted comparative case studies of eight communities. We found little service overlap or competition. Instead, using a variety of mechanisms, local institutions have established clear divisions of labor and have linked themselves in well‐defined, though largely informal, systems. The present study concludes with a discussion of how state and federal policy might facilitate the creation and maintenance of effective local systems of work‐related education and training.