The economic welfare of a community is not an island
in itself, but is a direct result of the human resource development
of all of its citizens.
In most communities, local area leaders are strongly
committed to maintaining and improving the regional standard of living.
They are particularly aware of the keen competition among communities
for new sources of employment and of the necessity of training and re-training
citizens for existing businesses. These community leaders realize that
a thriving community must provide suitable facilities, transportation,
and pleasant living conditions for its citizens. In addition, they know
that industrialists stress the need for an educated workforce in order
for a community to remain competitive in a global economy. Many times,
however, local dedicated leaders are missing one essential component
needed to improve the local situation—how to implement a program
that will solve many of the economic, education, and training problems
within a community.
Education can no longer be responsive to the changing
needs of students preparing for life during and beyond formal education
without the commitment and assistance of business, organized labor,
government, and community groups. Struggling to stay within budget,
resources are a premium and must be shared. Organizations that exist
outside the education arena are eager to participate in education and
industrial training and to offer a much-needed global perspective as
plans are made to update training within our schools.
