JOURNAL OF SKILL TRAINING
Year:2013 | Volume:1 | Issue:4|Papers Count:6

The purpose of this research is to investigate the trend of changes of technical and vocational training in Khuzestan province. Moreover, the opportunities, threats, strengths and weaknesses of the technical and vocational training system have been also investigated using SWOT method. The data are based on the investigation and analysis of the resources and documents at national and provincial level, reports of technical and vocational training organization of Khouzestan province and previous studies. Finally implications have been introduced for monitoring and evaluating of comprehensive system of skill and technology in Khuzestan province.

This qualitative study aims to analyze national comprehensive system of skill and technology in point of view of experts and scholars. The results of study are explored in 4 important categories including: 1) requirements of the labor market, 2) flexibility and dynamism, 3) being up to date of content and training methods, and 4) how to provide lifelong education basis. This study has implication for proper implementation of national comprehensive system of skill and technology.

Generally many factors have an effect on the success of small and medium-sized enterprises and finally economic development. In this situation the role of business environment and the facilitation of business trades for start-up entrepreneurs and business owners are unavoidable. This paper attempts to do a review of the World Bank’s Business trades Reports in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013, as well as the related literature, and also tries to study and analyze the Islamic Republic of Iran’s ranking in the second index of business trades: “Dealing with construction permits”. The research has employed a review and applied method. The reliable and valid data of World Bank reports, in 2010- 2013 were used. The results show that Iran’s ranking in the second index of facilitation of business trades among the 185 economies is not placed in an appropriate level. Increase in number of procedures and days to get construction permits during the 4 years of analysis can be considered among the reasons for low rank of Iran. Overall, we have proposed some recommendations for policy makers in this field based on the results of analysis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of problem-based learning approach in enhancing tomorrow's engineers' skills as compared to the traditional curriculums from the viewpoint of 87 vocational trainers working in the technical and vocational centers in Kermanshah. The data collecting tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The results show that the appropriateness of the engineers’ training is highly related to the appropriate time period, educational facilities and the willingness of learners to participate in problem-based learning approach as compared to traditional curriculums. Moreover, results list the advantages of the problem-based approach as improving level of student creativity, recognizing the hidden and undiscovered talents, developing interest in practical and theoretical lessons. Furthermore, the disadvantages include: Lack of proper educational facilities, lack of proper planning and lack of students’ age-segregation.

The implementation of learning organization characteristics in technical and vocational training centers is essential due to their extensive network and training activities in a complex and changing social, technical, and technological environment. The present survey study is implemented with the aim of investigating the application of learning organizations characteristics in technical and vocational training centers of Isfahan based on Peter Senge model. Results are indicating that all characteristics are lower than average. Regarding to their equal importance in learning, technical and vocational training organization of Isfahan should pay more attention to enriching all characteristics. Furthermore, regarding the ranking of characteristics, it seems that "collective learning" and "building shared vision" are more important than "mental models", "mastery" and "systematic thinking".

Despite the importance of research and development, yet relatively little research have been noted and considered with regard to the management and application of the research findings. In such circumstances, research institutes and universities all over the country are bound to move toward the commercialization of their research findings in line with knowledge-based economy and in order to achieve national sustainable development goals. From the perspective of professional development, this qualitative research was done with the aim of identifying the professional skills and required skills of agriculture faculty members for university research commercialization and suggests appropriate procedures to enhance the required professional capabilities.