Candidate: Alton Leon Alford

Degree of: Doctor of Education

Department: Teaching Learning and Leadership

Title: Examining the Similarities and Differences in Benefits of School-to-Work as a Workforce Development Strategy: A Study of Key Stakeholders Involvement Using a Multiple Case Study Approach

Date: Tuesday, August 27, 2002
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 3208 Sangren Hall

Committee:
Dr. Charles Warfield, Chair
Dr. Jianping Shen
Dr. Rual Madrid

Abstract:
As we enter the new millennium, there is considerable evidence which indicates that in the 1990's many U.S. businesses were experiencing rapid growth and expansion resulting from and expansion resulting from a robust American economy. As a result, business activity in most employment sectors has shown many sign of future growth with projections of continued growth well into the 21st century. This growth in the new economy has resulted in a critical need for highly skilled entrants into the workforce whose working life times will extend toward the mid-twenty-first century (Judy & D'Amico, 1997).

With an identified skills shortage looming over many U.S. corporations and businesses, companies are facing the prospect of finding new ways to staff themselves with qualified workers. In that businesses must be aware of and contemplate numerous factors that contribute to the implementation of successful workforce development strategies, the use of other seemingly plausible approaches such as school-to-work (STW) warrant investigation to determine its value in addressing future workforce development challenges. Therefore, from the perspective of employers hosting STW experiences, students involved in STW experiences, and the   parents of those students, this study provides insight on intricate relationships between these key stakeholder groups, and the similarities and benefits that they identified through their involvement. Data was gathered through questionnaires and interviews given to (a) representatives from a large, mid-sized and small manufacturer involved in West Michigan's furniture industry (b) participating high school students in STW activities at those businesses, and (c) their parents. Insight was offered into: (1) the effectiveness of STW activities in addressing the workforce development needs, (2) STW activities of greatest benefit to workforce development efforts, (3) obstacles to employer involvement, (4) stakeholder views on the most beneficial activities, (5) student benefits, and (6) the impact of parental involvement.

The study revealed: (1) that in general STW activities benefited workforce development efforts of businesses and enhanced student education, (2) issues that hinder businesses involvement are not always seen clearly by stakeholders, (3) that visual and contextual learning enhance student school-to-work learning, and (4) that increase information flow to parents by businesses can maximize benefits from parental involvement.

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