Origin
The Institute for Research in Training and Development (IRTD) is a research group of the Department of Learning & Performance Systems within Penn State's College of Education. The IRTD ws established by the Penn State Board of Trustees in the mid-1980s.
History
During Spring 2006, David L. Passmore, Professor of Education and Operations Research in the Workforce Education and Development (WF ED) academic program, became the Director of the IRTD. Former and current graduate faculty members in the WF ED program who previously held the post of IRTD Director include: Thomas Chermack, Paul Krueger, William Rothwell, Catherine Sleezer, and, the founder of the IRTD, Gary Geroy.
Affiliation with Penn State Workforce Education & Development Initiative
The IRTD has been affiliated with the Workforce Assessment Center (managed by Rose Baker), within the Office of Economic & Workforce Development in Penn State Outreach, through Penn State's Workforce Education & Development Initiative established by a Memorandum of Agreement between the College of Education and Outreach (agreement implemented since 2003; see a copy of the 2006 agreement renewal). The IRTD and the Workforce Assessment Center collaborate on projects and activities that identify, analyze, and report information useful for planning and evaluating economic and workforce development in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and beyond.
Staffing
The staff of the Workforce Education and Development Initiative includes the Director of Workforce Development Initiatives, Director of the IRTD, the Program Manager of the Workforce Assessment Center, professional support personnel, and a team of graduate students who are funded by Penn State Outreach and managed by the IRTD. A statement of capabilities of the Workforce Education & Development Initiative is available. Additional professional staff and interns are recruited on an ad hoc basis for projects requiring additional or different skill sets beyond those held by the Workforce Education & Development Initiative.
Location & Contacts
The IRTD is located in J. Orvis Keller Building on the University Park Campus of Penn State (see the Penn State Visitor's Guide for maps, travel directions, parking, and lodging information). The main point of contact with the ITRD is through David Passmore, 305D J. Orvis Keller Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-1303, 814.863.2583, dlp at psu dot edu.