The United States is facing two major ongoing structural economic changes. First, the United States has helped create a world of open trade, and it is competing with underdeveloped countries who have an opportunity to industrialize very rapidly. Second, technological development is proceeding at a fast pace. High-wage industries in the United States, the Western industrial nations, and Japan will have to find profitable enterprises other than manufacturing because of the low-wage workers in the developing world. Economic opportunities need to be found in which American companies can do well enough to sustain present wage levels. The United States must cultivate or develop enough industries that are so technically advanced that they create near monopolies. Technical competence must first be enhanced greatly at the highest scientific level in the universities. Then, vocational and technical education must be delivered early, in the grade schools, high schools, and two-year postsecondary institutions. This recommendation requires finding funds to acquire expensive equipment, to change the curriculum, and to hire people who can deliver technical instruction. (Questions and answers about vocational education and economic change are appended.) (YLB)