The demand for technicians will experience a rapid rate of increase--from 35,000 job openings a year in the early 60's to 128,000 a year expected between the mid-1960's and the mid-1970's. A primary stimulus for this increase is the volume and scope of research and development activity directed toward achievement of national goals and manpower needs. Career opportunities for technicians in the 1970's will reflect current trends in medical services and in engineering and natural sciences. Colleges and universities and non-profit organizations will also provide a larger proportion of job openings by 1975. Technical education programs are challenged to improve their public image by (1) improving existing post-secondary course offerings, (2) expanding teacher education programs, (3) developing new programs, (4) providing remedial science-related instruction to the educationally disadvantaged, and (5) creating a national awareness of the quantity and quality of technical career opportunities. (CH)