Workforce Conference II

         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         

         

          Workforce Development:
          An International Perspective
          a seminar co-sponsored by
          Albert Shanker Institute & New Economy Information Service

          May 29, 2001
          Washington, D.C.

        SESSION II: Training & Credentials: Key to New Professionals

        Education and training are central to the concerns of professionals and the skilled workers of the new economy. It is not only a matter of having skills, but of having the right ones for the jobs these workers seek now, skills that will also prepare them for the future. The provision of professional qualifications, training and development for their members is one of the ways that unions can add value to the membership package, and aid in recruitment and development. This is especially relevant for professional and skilled workers who can expect to have higher earnings and greater job security if they gain the right credentials that have general recognition.

        This session will look at the way in which unions and professional associations in a number of sectors have attempted to incorporate training and credentialing into the services they provide their members.

        Richard Hurd describes how associations provide their members with job-related information, especially on licensing and certification. He describes their involvement in developing accrediting procedures. Some of the questions his paper raises are:

      • What do professional associations offer that unions either do not, or do not do well enough. What special attractions do associations offer to potential members?

      • How can unions best relate to professionals and skilled white collar workers? Where have they succeeded and failed?

      • What is the impact of technological change on both unions and associations, and how are they planning to deal with future changes in the content of work?

      • What role is played by a union or an association in setting standards? What are the practical questions involved in making sure members have the right training to meet credential requirements of employers or public agencies, and that these standards are portable and widely accepted?

      • Is there synergy between unions and professional bodies, and any benefit to be gained from co-operation or imitation?

        Christiane Benner of IG Metall in Germany will describe the experience of her union in recruiting IT workers. She will also discuss the role of the union in formulating content standards and apprentice systems among these workers.

        Ed Sweeney of UNIFI in the U.K. will explain his union's work in meeting the challenges of mergers and changes in the banking industry, while also at the same time promoting training partnerships with these institutions that can prepare members of the union to meet the changing technical requirements expected in the next decade.

        Mark Smith will outline the approach of the American Nurses Association in aiding its members in obtaining proper certification through required education and experience; how the association works to shape the credentialing requirements to its members' advantage, both in defining their scope of work as professionals, and providing expert opinion as standards are developed for new skill categories.


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