CHANGING PATTERNS IN CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR BUSINESS.

Overview & Synopsis

AFTER WORLD WAR II, BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY MOVED INTO THE ADULT EDUCATION FIELD, AND ARE NOW SPENDING A REPORTED $20 BILLION ANNUALLY IN HIGHER EDUCATION FOR THEIR SCIENTIFIC PERSONNEL AND MANAGEMENT. LARGE INDUSTRIES, LIKE IBM, HAVE COMPLETE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES FOR THEIR PERSONNEL. FORD AND GENERAL MOTORS USE OUTSIDE EDUCATIONAL GROUPS FOR EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. SUCH COMPANIES AS CONTINENTAL CAN, HAVE A SMALL HEADQUARTERS EDUCATIONAL STAFF ADMINISTERING DECENTRALIZED PROGRAMS, EITHER USING THEIR OWN PROGRAMS OR PARTICIPATING IN PROGRAMS AVAILABLE LOCALLY AT COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES. THE AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION AND THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF LIFE UNDERWRITERS HAVE THEIR OWN PROGRAMS. SOME COMPANIES USE SUCH UNAFFILIATED EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AS THE AMERICAN MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OR THE NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL CONFERENCE BOARD. WITH BETTER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN UNIVERSITIES AND BUSINESS, THE UNIVERSITIES COULD (1) SET THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR LONG-DURATION EDUCATION, (2) PROVIDE SHORT-RANGE, IMMEDIATE PAY-OFF EDUCATION, (3) EVALUATE COMPANY-SPONSORED PROGRAMS, AND (4) INVESTIGATE NEW TECHNOLOGY AND METHODS FOR TEACHING ADULTS. THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE FROM THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF LIBERAL EDUCATION FOR ADULTS AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY, 138 MOUNTFORT STREET, BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS 02146, FOR $2.00. (EB)