The psychological contract in apprenticeships and traineeships : differing perceptions

As with any contract of employment, the mutual expectations of the employer and the apprentice/trainee are very important. Apprenticeships and traineeships have greater expectations than other employment contracts of employment because of the training component of the contract. This paper reports on some of the findings of a major NCVER-funded national project examining mutual expectations in apprenticeships and traineeships through the concept of the psychological contract. The paper focuses on the differences between employers and apprentices/trainees, in the expectations each party has of the other and in the extent to which the expectations are perceived to have been met.<br /

Computer Interactive Reminiscence and Conversation Aid groups – delivering cognitive stimulation with technology

INTRODUCTION: Group-based cognitive stimulation is the only nonpharmacological intervention recommended by the UK National Institute for Clinical and Health Excellence (NICE) for people with dementia. The potential of technology to extend the availability of group-based cognitive stimulation has not been tested. METHOD: One hundred and sixty-one people with dementia participated in an 8-session group activity using Computer Interactive Reminiscence and Conversation Aid (CIRCA). Cognition, quality of life and general health were assessed pre-, post- and three-months later. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in cognition and quality of life at the end of the CIRCA group intervention, which was further improved at three-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: CIRCA group sessions improved cognition and quality of life similar to group-base cognitive stimulation approved by NICE. These benefits were maintained at three-month follow-up. The data confirm the potential of CIRCA, which can be populated with different cultural and language contents for different user groups

Enterprise registered training organisations : research project funded by Australian Research Council and ERTOA : final report : executive summary

This is an overview of a national research project which set out to evaluate the benefits, challenges and outcomes for all stakeholders of the delivery of vocational education and training (VET) qualifications by Enterprise RTOs (ERTOs). The project had three main research questions: • What are the benefits and challenges for companies associated with training through their own ERTO? • What are the benefits and challenges for workers associated with ERTOs? • What is the equivalence of workplace-delivered qualifications among companies and with qualifications delivered in educational institutions? The project aimed to be of benefit at several levels as described below: • For workers, the research set out to examine whether the availability of qualifications through ERTOs offers the chance of a high-quality qualification and improved career prospects and life chances. • For companies, the research hoped to provide firm evidence about the outcomes for their workers and quality features of their training compared with other companies and with institutional-based qualifications. • For industries and for Australia, the research set out to build an evidence base about the efficacy of this type of training, to assist in the shaping of government policy

Mis-Steps in the Dance of Differences: Problems and Potentials in Cross-Cultural Job Interviews

With the proportion of immigrants in Canadian society increasing, knowledge of cultural differences is ever more critical. For tourism, parks, and other leisure organizations, as in most service organizations, recruiting the right employee is essential. Selecting and hiring the right people, at the right time, in the right place is a complex, stressful and costly undertaking for both the organization and the candidate. However, making the wrong hiring decision can result in even more problems. Interviewing is a key task in the hiring process, but interviewing in a cross-cultural environment requires skills that many employers lack. The proposed research will use a combination of interviews and relevant documentation (e.g., organizational policies), informed by a conceptual framework related to crosscultural communication. In particular, the paper will review current research on the problems and challenges related to the need for more sensitive cross-cultural communications by managers in tourism and leisure organizations. The paper concludes summarizing this research by offering some tentative strategies for avoiding misconceptions arising based on cultural unawareness

The psychological contract in apprenticeships and traineeships : comparing the perceptions of employees and employers

This paper compares the perceptions of Australian apprentices/trainees and employers of apprentices/trainees in relation to the psychological contract: the unwritten mutual expectations employers and employees have of each other. A random sample of apprentices and trainees (N = 219) and employers of apprentices and trainees (N = 262) from Victoria and Queensland, Australia completed surveys. Information was collected about perceived employer, employee and training obligations and how well they had been met. Overall it was found that apprentices/trainees and employers rated similar individual employer, employee and training obligations as being the most and least important. Training obligations were perceived by both parties as being the most important obligations overall. Differences between the groups mainly related to perceptions of the extent to which obligations were met, particularly employer obligations. Despite significant differences, the overall mean ratings suggest that the psychological contract is being met well for both parties. Implications of the research for psychological contracts and for apprenticeships/traineeships are discussed.C

Understanding the psychological contract in apprenticeships and traineeships to improve retention

Attrition in apprenticeships and traineeships is an ongoing concern for employers and government alike, with completion standing at around 50% on average. One possible explanation for this high attrition rate that there is mismatch between the respective expectations of apprentices/trainees and employers. This research use the concept of psychological contract, that is, the perceived mutual obligations betweens employers and employees of themselves and each other, to test this explanation

Yoga as a means to negotiate physical activity constraints in middle-aged and older adults

In spite of the known benefits of physical activity participation, many adults still do not engage in physical activities. It is important to understand mechanisms that may facilitate the negotiation of physical activity constraints. Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health as the conceptual framework, this study analyzed secondary data from two yoga trials to explore potential mechanisms related to physical activity constraint negotiation. The results of data analysis support the idea that negotiation occurred both in mental body functions and in the environment. The Broaden and Build Theory of Positive Emotions provides further explanation for the negotiation of mental functions and environment. Yoga, an activity known to enhance positive emotions, may reduce constraints through broadening the individual’s experience and opening the individual’s mind to new opportunities and activities

HEALTH-RELATED CHARACTERISTICS AMONG LESBIAN AND HETEROSEXUAL WOMEN ENROLLED IN THE ESTHER (EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDY OF HEALTH RISKS) PROJECT

This dissertation took steps towards filling major research gaps in lesbian health in the form of three manuscripts evaluating epidemiologic evidence for health disparities. Although the health disparities explored were not closely related, each was based upon analysis of data collected as part of the ESTHER (Epidemiologic STudy of HEalth Risk in Women) Project, a large cross-sectional study examining risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) among lesbian and heterosexual women living in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. Data were collected between 2003 and 2006, and these analyses were completed in 2009. The first manuscript examined differences in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use between lesbian and heterosexual women. Lesbians were more likely to have used CAM in their lifetime and within the past 12 months when compared to heterosexual women. Among women who had used CAM within the past 12 months, the types of CAM reported did not vary by sexual orientation. The second manuscript investigated the association between lesbian sexual orientation, sexual abuse history, and adulthood obesity. Lesbian sexual orientation and a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) perpetrated by a family member were each independently associated with current adulthood obesity. The third manuscript explored potential differences in the prevalence and associated factors of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by sexual orientation. A small sample size limited the power of the analysis to confirm statistical difference in PCOS prevalence or associated factors; however, meaningful trends were observed. If the observed trends are reflective of the larger population, lesbians may exhibit differences in PCOS determinate factors, have higher rates of PCOS, and may be more likely to be diagnosed with PCOS compared to heterosexual women. The public health significance of this dissertation was to explore potential health-related differences that may exist between heterosexual and lesbian women in the areas of CAM, obesity, and PCOS research. Findings contributed to the literature on health disparities and provided further support for a greater focus on lesbian health, including public health training, education, screenings, and interventions to better serve the lesbian population

The Leisure Of Learning: Students’ Perceptions Of Learntertainment’ As An Instructional Method

With present-day classrooms becoming increasingly diverse, educational institutions, teachers and university administrators are looking to teaching and learning strategies that provide for a variety of learning profiles and styles. Many educators start their class with a ‘big bang’- an interesting ice breaker- to raise excitement in their students, but due to the use of the lecture method, the interest in class soon regresses, and the attention of the learner begins to wane. This has the negative impact of affecting what is learned and the extent of knowledge gained as a result of the teaching-learning process. Consequently, learntertainment, a new teaching approach is being presented as an alternative to the lecture method. The purpose of this paper is identifying what the benefits of Learntertainment teaching strategies are and to explore students’ perception of Learntertainment. A qualitative approach is considered to be appropriate for this paper and will be based on Strauss and Corbin (1998) grounded theory modified slightly to incorporate constructivist grounded theory espoused by Charmaz (2000)

Does physical therapy improve symptoms of fibromyalgia?

Physical therapy is minimally effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia, with immediate post-treatment improvement in pain and tender points, and both short- and longer-term improved self-efficacy (confidence in performing tasks) (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, 1 small, high-quality randomized controlled trial, 4 additional small randomized controlled trials). Multidisciplinary rehabilitation is probably not effective for this disorder but warrants future research, as trial quality is poor (SOR: B, systematic review of 4 small or low-quality and 3 additional randomized controlled trials on widespread pain conditions)