Education and Training Policies and Programmes To Support Industrial Restructuring in the Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore and the United States. Training Discussion Paper No. 18.

This literature survey analyzes the process of industrial restructuring as it is occurring in the Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, and the United States. It looks in particular at how various agents of education and training in these countries--the school system, public and private education and training institutions and firms--are responding to the new and continually changing training priorities that are generated by structural change and technological innovation in the economy. The survey found that the primary agents of structural and technological change differ between the countries. The United States represents the extreme of relying almost exclusively on private sector initiatives and market forces in the restructuring process, whereas in Korea the government assumes the prime responsibility of facilitating adjustment to industrial change by economic and social policy measures. The study also found that in all four countries, there is a universal scramble for higher qualifications as a means to secure a good job. At the same time, many of the countries seem to consider that the output of the school system is inadequate to meet employer needs. The United States, however, has the advantage of a decentralized training system with strong links to employers, whereas the Japanese are successful with in-house training. The study finally emphasizes the relentless national drive for excellence in research and education that permeates the Asian countries' efforts, especially in the case of Japan. (KC)