From a macroeconomic perspective, the evolving demand for skills in the United States has been triggered by the accelerated expansion of computer and information technology, which has, in turn, brought significant changes to the workplace. Technological advances have made some wholly manual jobs obsolete. But even for many other workers, a rapidly evolving work environment in which jobs' skill demands are rapidly evolving can lead to anxiety over job loss. The education and training systems have been feeling the pressures of a great number of these workers striving to keep up. These pressures will likely remain intense as learning increasingly becomes a lifelong activity. If the United States is to remain preeminent in transforming knowledge into economic value, its system of higher education must remain the world's leader in generating scientific and technological breakthroughs and preparing workers to meet the evolving demands for skilled labor. The notion that formal degree or training programs at levels established today can be crafted to fully support the requirements of one's lifework has been challenged. Policymakers must foster and support a flexible education system that integrates work and training and serves the needs of both experienced workers at different stages in their careers and students embarking on their initial course of study. (MN)