In many countries throughout the world, efforts to articulate the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of workers have translated into the development of organizations with the specific charter to establish industry-based skill standards with attendant new and/or expanded forms of certification of competencies. The new emphasis on skill standards may be traced to many factors, including shifts in production processes and occupations, recognition of the fact that production must accommodate the environment, and the realities of the labor pool. Throughout the world, systems of initial preparation for work are undergoing significant change, and recognition that education and learning must take place in both schools and the workplace is increasing. The system in place to keep workers prepared for work (including lifelong learning, distance education, continuing professional development, and job training) is arguably the weakest link in almost every country's strategy to ensure a skilled work force. Australia's new system of occupational and industrial core and technical standards and eight competency levels provides a framework for accomplishing the following: identifying and developing transferable skills across industries; elaborating career paths within industries; and ensuring correspondence between earning a degree and acquiring the types of competencies required for working at various levels. (MN)