Selected Models of Worker Education in Europe. Research Series 3, 1973.

Overview & Synopsis

The contents of this book deal with worker education in France, England, the Soviet Union, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and Finland and with the international activities of the Organization for Rehabilitation through Training (ORT). Examples are presented of what can be done and what has been done to develop the potential of the worker in Europe. The book suggests that the United States can adapt the European programs to strengthen the education of its own workers. Contents, arranged by country, focus on the following sorts of topics in worker education: secondary level institutions, exemplified by the French approach from apprenticeship to the traditional humanistic lycee; adult education, particularly the retraining of technologically displaced individuals being done in Sweden; education by trade unions such as that being carried on in England; use of the media in the British Open University, in Sweden, and by ORT; the initiative of the private sector, such as that of the British chocolate factory furthering the education of its youthful workers; welfare work; cooperation between industry and government typified by Finland; and finally the opportunity of higher education for people, normally excluded by social traditions, exemplified by the Open University. The final chapter is a "noncountry" approach which reviews the book contents on the listed topics. (JH)