| Before we can say what is wrong with our | | | | would know that in hydraulic systems constraints limit |
| educational system, we should define the term.The | | | | throughput and that their elimination improves the flow. |
| purpose of the educational system is to: | | | | This then prepares the graduate to make |
| Pass on Knowledge | | | | improvements on the ways in which things are done |
| Relate relevant issues to each other | | | | within the organization for which they work. |
| Prepare individuals and groups for future situations | | | | A similar situation exists with the discipline of work |
| The passing on of knowledge is one of the oldest | | | | measurement standards. The discipline was developed |
| civilized functions. The passing on of knowledge was | | | | in the early part of the 20th century yet wide spread |
| originally done in the form of stories told when people | | | | knowledge of its benefits do not exist. This is a |
| got together. Once languages were written, then came | | | | problem of both the enterprise system and the |
| libraries which were repositories for knowledge. | | | | educational system. |
| The passion to record and relate all knowledge has | | | | Simply stated, productivity improvement is key to our |
| remained a goal of scholars since the invention of | | | | future economic growth. Increased productivity is |
| libraries.There is no better example of that than the | | | | achieved only by improved methods and procedures |
| World Wide Web. It's original intended purpose was | | | | (better ways of doing things).The majority of |
| provide a central access site where all knowledge | | | | enterprises have opportunities for systems and |
| could be retained and for related items to be linked to | | | | procedural improvements within their own |
| each other. | | | | organizations. Employees who have the proper |
| The need for cross transfer of information has long | | | | knowledge can find and recommend improvements |
| been recognized as a needed but thorny issue.The | | | | for those systems. |
| issue is thorny because of the difficulty in execution of | | | | Knowing how to accomplish these programs makes |
| a noble idea. | | | | an employee more valuable to the enterprise. The |
| As was mentioned earlier, large well organized | | | | addition of the production facts and work |
| enterprises have developed systems, involving SMEs | | | | measurement to a broader audience can be of great |
| (subject matter experts), which are specifically | | | | importance to our enterprise system in general. |
| designed to enhance cross transfer of new ideas and | | | | At four levels of the educational system, the function |
| concepts within and without their organizations. As in all | | | | of preparing graduates for employment was |
| such situations, this is not a perfect solution, but it is | | | | mentioned as existing. These levels are Graduate |
| practical. | | | | School, Undergraduate School, Junior College and High |
| The preparation of individuals and groups for future | | | | School. |
| situations is the single most extensive function of our | | | | Graduate schools often need to be more proactive |
| educational system This is as it should be. This | | | | with the members of the enterprise system to learn |
| preparation process has three components. The first is | | | | what employee requirements are for a Phd or a |
| the educational system as a whole. The second | | | | Masters Degree candidate. |
| component is technical education/training. The third | | | | They can also determine the blend of skills needed. |
| component is vocational education/training. | | | | Undergraduate Schools can also benefit from being |
| The functions identified as numbers two and three can | | | | more proactive with members of the enterprise |
| arguably be included in the first category. Because | | | | system. In this way, they can also determine the blend |
| their more specialized characteristics, they have | | | | of skills most wanted by the enterprise system. |
| differences which need to be identified. The above | | | | Because Junior Colleges often provide vocational |
| classification was chosen as the way to do that. | | | | training, they are often more aware of the realities of |
| Our Educational System also has three distinct | | | | the work place than are other educational groupings. |
| components. They are University Educational Systems, | | | | One of the needs of the Junior Colleges is to find out |
| High School Educational Systems and Grade School | | | | such information as how literate is computer literate? |
| Educational Systems. | | | | Does every one need to know how to use spread |
| The University Educational System has several | | | | sheets? The source of this type of information is of |
| components. These are Graduate School, | | | | course, the enterprise community. |
| Undergraduate School and two year Associate | | | | High Schools are last educational institution which most |
| Degree Programs. | | | | students ever see. This makes their role in our |
| Graduate Schools are responsible for the preparation | | | | educational process a critical one. More students will |
| of scholars who will perpetuate the present customs. | | | | have the need to know how to get a job and keep a |
| They are responsible for basic research in both | | | | job than will go to another higher educational level. If |
| general and technical areas. They are responsible for | | | | retention levels increase, the above will be even more |
| technical qualification and training and for general | | | | the case. High Schools need to provide students with |
| managerial training and qualifications. | | | | training which employers want to be present in their |
| Undergraduate Schools are responsible for entry level | | | | employees.In order to know what these requirements |
| technical and general training. This includes managerial | | | | are, contacts with the enterprise system are needed. |
| training. Let us not forget the origional reason for the | | | | Here are some thoughts about the drop out situation. |
| establishment of Universities which is to spread the | | | | Many of those out do so because they see no reason |
| knowledge of social and philosophical disciplines.These | | | | to continue school. Their belief is that school provides |
| are the "liberal arts". | | | | them with no skills which can get them a job. Further |
| The "Junior" Colleges serve two purposes. The first is | | | | they have little knowledge of the importance of |
| prepare students to enter Undergraduate Schools. The | | | | keeping a job. This says that it is super important for |
| second purpose is to provide training for entry level | | | | the High School to know what is expected of an |
| positions in our enterprise system. This often includes | | | | enterprise system job applicant and teach those skills. |
| vocational training. | | | | This requires both the school board and the educators |
| High Schools are responsible to complete the basic | | | | to become aware to the real student needs and to |
| educational training skills of math, reading, writing, | | | | also know how the local enterprise system works. |
| science and history. They are responsible to make | | | | Remember the Proactive approach taken by the large |
| their graduates employable in the enterprise system. | | | | and well organized businesses. Similar systems need |
| Grade Schools are responsible for to teach the basic | | | | to be set up with in the academic community. The |
| knowledge skills and to prepare its graduates for High | | | | educational system needs to look at its responsibilities |
| School. | | | | from a functional point of view. This includes taking the |
| As is evident from the above description of the | | | | needs of the student into account as well as the |
| responsibilities of the various levels of education,its | | | | needs of employers. |
| mission is both diverse and complex. Compounding the | | | | More emphasis has to be placed at all levels from High |
| diversity issue, is the fact that both Graduate Schools | | | | Schools on up to make graduates more employable. |
| and Undergraduate Schools are curriculum driven to | | | | Such efforts at the High School level will tend to lower |
| train the next generation. These schools often do not | | | | the dropout rates of the High Schools which |
| look at all of their functional responsibilities in a balanced | | | | participate. |
| manner. Commonly, the matter of qualifying graduates | | | | The subject matter relating to improving productivity, is |
| for employment in our enterprise system is not given | | | | not presently being given enough emphasis in any part |
| sufficient emphasis. | | | | of the educational system. This is to the detriment of |
| Certain disciplines are not covered in sufficient breadth | | | | the potential employee. |
| and depth. For example courses in Production | | | | Management in most enterprises is not aware of the |
| Management do not explain that all systems, | | | | productivity improvements which can and should be |
| production and administrative, are best modeled as an | | | | employed within the organization. The value and uses |
| analog hydraulic system.This fact is of great impact for | | | | of the tools discussed here need to be brought to the |
| those entering the enterprise system. Because they | | | | attention of senior management at all levels of activity. |