Provus Discrepancy Evaluation model, the variables determined most significant were incorporated into a research discrepancy model. The model in which the resources of the vocational education system were coordinated with the needs of the construction industry was recommended as the base for future studies of related building trades training programs.
This study evidenced two findings that are directly relevant to the proposed research. First, it was found that those providing vocational training at community colleges view themselves as doing a better job than do the people that are actually hiring the graduates. Second, it was found that there is relatively little collaboration, interaction, or coordination between vocational educators and the employees hiring their students.
The foregoing facts suggest that what is needed in the existing knowledge base is research that integrates vocational training in some way relevant to employers' perceptions. Only by assessing how those hiring graduates feel about their skills and abilities, will vocational educators really know how well their program is doing.
Indeed, even if students do very well on academic indices evaluating program effectiveness, it could be that "real-world" work is sufficiently different that these indices do not adequately inform as to program effectiveness as it relates to actual employment. However, contractors are very much in touch with "real-world" work and therefore are likely to better understand in what areas vocational training has been successful and in what areas it has failed.
The proposed study provides the kind of research needed it that it assesses the effectiveness of a vocational education program (Pueblo Community College's Vocational Education Construction Trades Program) in terms of how those who have hired graduates feel about their capabilities and skills. Therefore, the study provides the kind of real-world data needed by vo...