Gary Becker (1993) sought to better
understand the relationship between the costs
and returns to training by identifying two
mutually exclusive forms of training – general
training and specific training. General training is
training that provides the worker with skill
development not only applicable at the presentemployer, but also at other firms throughout the
labor market. Some examples of general training
programs are apprenticeship trainings, general
computer training, and learning surgical
techniques that could be used in other hospitals.
Educational reimbursement is also an example
of general training, as the skills acquired can be
of use to many different employers (Kaufman
and Hotchkiss, 2006).