The Rocky Flats Plant of Rockwell International is committed to hiring hard-core unemployed people for entry-level positions with the intention of migrating them upward. However, many new employees have serious deficiencies in basic education skills. Technological changes compound the problem. As a result, Rockwell has established an in-house training program to help new employees develop basic skills and the more advanced skills needed to migrate upward.

A heavy emphasis is placed on algebra, chemistry, and safety. Rockwell pays all training costs, including the costs of college courses taken off-site. Required courses are taken on company time. Courses for promotion are taken on the employee’s time. Self-paced and computer-aided instruction methods are used for teaching basic skills.

QUESTIONS

1. What is your opinion of Rockwell’s commitment to hiring the hard-core unemployed and training them?

2. How do you think this commitment affects Rockwell’s ability to compete?