Occupational Training

  • U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Rose Li, right, hands a notebook to Airman 1st Class Eric Gardella, both 86th Communications Squadron wing cyber readiness technicians, while monitoring malicious network activity during exercise Tacet Venari at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 2, 2020, photo by Staff Sgt. Devin Boyer/U.S. Air Force

    Report

    Improving U.S. Air Force Training and Development in the Cyber Field

    The U.S. Air Force has been looking for ways to revamp the training of its offensive and defensive cyberwarfare workforce to develop the best fighting force possible. Is the training and development process that exists now working well for the cyber workforce? Is there a need for improvement?

    Sep 29, 2021

  • Wayne County Airport Police commander Bryan Birch (L) tries out VR goggles during community engagement training in Taylor, Michigan, August 26, 2021, photo by Eric Seals/Reuters

    Commentary

    Can the AR/VR Industry Support Law Enforcement Training?

    Law enforcement departments are increasingly considering using augmented reality and virtual reality for training. How can the AR/VR industry be incentivized to ensure that content responds to user needs and is accessible?

    Aug 24, 2021

  • Workers inspecting machinery in a factory, photo by Yozayo/Getty Images

    Commentary

    Job Training Is More Effective When All Parties Work Together

    The United States is facing economic gaps wider than have been seen in a century. To keep the nation economically strong and able to provide citizens with middle-class lifestyles, educators, government, and private industry need to work together to shape training opportunities.

    Jul 6, 2021

  • Busy young interracial colleagues analyzing computer code on computer: African man pointing at monitor and asking coworker in office, photo by pressmaster/Adobe Stock

    Research Brief

    Building Ohio's Workforce Through Stackable Credentials

    Ohio has been a leader in scaling stackable credential programs since passing initial legislation on stackable credentials nearly 15 years ago. Over this time, Ohio saw strong growth in short-term credential programs. And most individuals who stacked credentials earned a degree.

    Jun 8, 2021

  • Report

    Report

    Stackable Credential Pipelines in Ohio: Evidence on Programs and Earnings Outcomes

    Stackable credentials allow individuals with short-term credentials to build on them with additional credentials throughout their careers. The authors of this report examined educational programs in Ohio and earnings gains from stacking credentials.

    Jun 8, 2021

  • Journal Article

    Journal Article

    Effective Game-Based Training for Police Officer Decision-Making: Linking Missions, Skills, and Virtual Content

    This paper reports the result of a two-year pilot study that developed a framework for implementing low-cost, game-based, virtual reality technology for training police officers to improve their decision-making under stress.

    Mar 12, 2021

  • Composition with group of multiracial employees, photo by Rudzhan Nagiev/Getty Images

    Content

    RAND Lowy Family Middle-Class Pathways Center

    The RAND Lowy Family Middle-Class Pathways Center (MCPC) is committed to forging new and better paths toward sustainable work opportunities for all Americans. RAND researchers are designing, piloting, and evaluating interventions focused on skill pathways, entrepreneurship, and workplace technology.

    Feb 25, 2021

  • Journal Article

    Journal Article

    Comparing the Effects of Academy Training Models on Recruit Competence: Does Curriculum Instruction Type Matter?

    The purpose of this paper is to determine if a police academy using adult learning techniques instills higher levels of perceived competence in recruits than an academy using traditional pedagogical methods.

    Jan 19, 2021

  • A woman wearing a graduation cap and gown entering a maze, photo by YinYang/Getty Images

    Essay

    Education and Employment Should Be One System, Not Two

    Too many American workers aren't getting the education and training they need to compete in the 21st century. We need to revamp the entire system of educating and employing people. And that system needs to ensure equitable access to opportunities and lifelong learning.

    Jan 7, 2020

  • Report

    Report

    Effectiveness of Screened, Demand-Driven Job Training Programs for Disadvantaged Workers: An Evaluation of the New Orleans Career Pathway Training

    The authors of this report examine the implementation and effectiveness of a New Orleans job training program that helped lower-skilled, unemployed, and underemployed individuals train for and find skilled jobs in particular industries.

    Oct 17, 2019

  • Portrait of young engineer woman working in factory building, photo by serts/Getty Images

    Research Brief

    What Works for Job Training Programs for Disadvantaged Workers

    Can workforce development programs resolve the mismatch between the talent available and the skills in demand? An evaluation of the New Orleans Career Pathways program offers insights that should be helpful to anyone striving to create or improve such programs.

    Oct 17, 2019

  • Hospital worker feeling overwhelmed, photo by Dean Mitchell/Getty Images

    Commentary

    Is Training for NHS Staff to Manage Workplace Violence Effective?

    Going to work should not mean being subjected to physical or verbal assault, but this is the reality faced by thousands of frontline NHS staff. De-escalation training may help staff manage patient violence and aggression, but there is not enough research about what works in specific healthcare contexts.

    Sep 4, 2019

  • Syrian refugee metal shop trainees work at one of the vocational training centres near Al Azraq city, Jordan, June 27, 2016

    Commentary

    Jobs Can Improve the Lives of Syrian Refugees and Their Host Communities

    Host governments, international development agencies, and donor countries like the United States could take several steps to improve Syrian refugee employment. This would increase self-reliance among Syrian refugees and ease pressures on host communities.

    Mar 11, 2019

  • Blog

    Syrian Workers, Iranian Spies, Jihadi Brides: RAND Weekly Recap

    This weekly recap focuses on jobs for Syrian refugees, Iran's efforts to spy on the United States, the complicated cases of jihadi brides, and more.

    Feb 22, 2019

  • Um Akram, a Syrian refugee, creates soap under Jasmine, a project which hires and trains Syrian refugee women to create handicrafts, in Amman, Jordan, July 11, 2016

    Commentary

    As Refugees, Syrian Women Find Liberation in Working

    Syrian refugee women in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan want opportunities to work. But there are multiple barriers and challenges that limit them. Improving the chances of safe and dignified work opportunities for Syrian women in these countries could yield broad positive social benefits for both the refugee and host communities.

    Feb 19, 2019

  • Workers in a textile factory in Turkey

    Commentary

    Syrian Skills: A Missed Opportunity

    Syrian refugees in Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon are finding ways to get by. But many refugees are not able to fully use their skills, and that is a lost opportunity both for the Syrians and the host countries.

    Feb 14, 2019

  • News Release

    News Release

    Syrian Refugees in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon Can Add Value to Local Economies

    Syrian refugees in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon could better contribute to local economies if they were trained for middle-skill jobs and were able to relocate to areas with manufacturing firms that need trained workers.

    Dec 13, 2018

  • Two workers in a factory in Jordan, October 2018

    Report

    Syrian Refugees Can Add Value to Middle Eastern Labor Markets

    Over 5 million Syrian refugees entered Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan due to the civil war. This has placed a severe strain on the host countries' labor markets, public services, and social cohesion. The future prosperity and stability of the region rests on creating mutually beneficial economic opportunities for Syrian refugees and host-country workers.

    Dec 13, 2018

  • Workers in a textile factory in Igdir, Turkey, May 20, 2017

    Research Brief

    Win-Win Solutions for Syrian Refugees—and Their Hosts

    Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan have generously received the majority of Syrian refugees. Many are working, but their sheer numbers have strained local labor markets, public services, and social harmony. Which policies might help create new economic opportunities for both the refugees and host-nation workers?

    Dec 13, 2018

  • Blog

    Military Spouses, Exercise Incentives, Libraries: RAND Weekly Recap

    This weekly recap focuses on a scholarship program for military spouses, a wellness program that uses the Apple Watch, how libraries can improve public health, and more.

    Nov 30, 2018

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