Preparing today's work force for future technological changes is part of the mission of institutions of higher education. A pivotal role in overseeing and managing this function is played by vocational deans, who are responsible for overseeing the training and development of both students and instructional staff. Deans need management and conflict resolution skills in order to provide a vision and lead staff and students while ensuring the smooth flow of day-to-day operations. Vocational deans are responsible for evaluating and monitoring students' acquisition of job skills, maintaining good relationships with the business community and advisory boards, enabling and accepting faculty input, and fostering staff professional development in order to implement new ideas. Vocational deans at community or technical colleges can take 15 steps to create this environment, including living by the highest level of integrity and ethics, setting and developing priorities, being tough but fair with people, and believing in corporate citizenship. The vocational deans' abilities in developing a professional team of vocational instructors and interfacing with the business community will facilitate the acquisition of work-related and job competency-based skills by the workers of tomorrow. (Contains 30 references.) (KC)