An analysis of the educational and training needs of industry and individuals : individuals' perception of needsas the basis for the development of education and training policy.

This study developed from my Interests in the industrial system and
the education and training needs of individuals. The starting point
for the research was Maslow's need theory, and Scheler's
proposition that Individuals must continually update their acquisition
of technological (artificial) knowledge to avoid alienation from the
culture created by this type of knowledge.
This study Initially began with a review of literature which
demonstrated that the educational and training needs of individuals
arose from the demands of the Industrial system. This raised the
question of whether individuals' needs were similar to or different
from those of the organisations in which they worked. The empirical
research which developed from this question was to test the
hypothesis that Individuals' perception of needs could serve as the
basis for the development of training strategy and policy.
The research was carried out amongst unemployed adults, employed
adults In three companies and 100 employers in the engineering
industry. An inductive-deductive approach was taken to identify the
education and training needs of individuals and organisations. The
investigation was carried out by a multi-method approach involving
questionnaire and interviews in the collection of both quantitative
and qualitative data. The research confirmed the literature and
hypothesis. It also raised the question of whether the individuals'
perception of needs could be discussed within the wider context of
individuals' ability to participate in discussions about the socloeconomic-
political environment.
The study claims individuals' and industries' needs are similar, thus
individuals' perception of needs can be the basis for the
development of training strategy and policy, and it proposes a model
of Knowledge-Based Training as a possible way forward. It builds on
Mallow's theory of needs and also supports Robbins' theory that
harmony can exist between the life and system worlds.

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