Use of Training to Boost the Local Economy

Training and Education have a large area of overlap, but for our purposes here, training will focus on "skill learning".

One exception to this will be in the area of "academic skill" learning (how to do research and write it up, how to use Math and Statistical tools, etc.) which will be considered under the Education heading, as those skills are so entwined with the academic content being studied.

That, of course is just the flip side of the "academic" education (such as Mathematics, research and writing skills, critical thinking skills, etc.)needed in order to learn many of the trades and therefore fall under this heading of "training" rather than "education"

Actually, there are two processes, which take place in both training and educational contexts. The first is the acquisition of content- theoretical content on the one hand and applied content on the other.

On hearing a statement that "the basics of most jobs can be learned in three weeks", a medical doctor friend of mine quipped, "and medicine in a year - all the rest is learning bedside manner".

Moving beyond the "basics" however, as any craftsman will tell you, is a never-ending task, and may cause one to be "stretched" in understanding and capacity to perform throughout a lifetime.

The second process is one that takes place in both education and training contexts as in much of adult life in general. It is the profound change that takes place in us in us when we learn anything. It has been said, for example, that "the professions take a great toll out of their practitioners, but don't collect until the person changes to a new field". The same could be said of people in the crafts and trades.

The provision of initial and follow-up training in a local economic region is one way to develop the overall level of economic activity. Such training keeps firms competitive, and plays a key role in improving the productivity levels of staff.

Our consideration of training as a means to developing the local economy is broken down into several aspects listed below, as practitioners tend to specialize in one or another aspects of training when under different circumstances.

Ways of Using Training to Boost Local Economies

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