A collection of analyses and projections is presented that explores the challenges posed by a rapidly evolving economy and the critical issue of manpower policy facing New England and the nation. New England was able to move from traditional industry to high technology because its colleges and universities supplied basic research and trained personnel. It is claimed that there is little coordination between industries forecasting labor force demand and colleges with knowledge of labor force supply. It is advocated that curricula be developed that are responsive to forseeable changes in the marketplace. Five developments that are negatively affecting New England's manpower pool are noted: the size of the 35-44-year-old age group limits prospects for upward job mobility; the rising costs of private colleges are causing native-born students to go outside the region in search of lower cost, high quality public higher education; New England colleges and universities confront a shrinking population base from which to draw; the job entry level age group of 15-24-year-olds is shrinking; and population growth in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island continues to decline. Positive factors that may boost the regional economy are also addressed. Chapters and authors are as follows: "Fine-Tuning New England's Labor Force" (Melvin H. Bernstein); "Manpower Strategies for New England's High Technology Sector" (Peter B. Doeringer, Patricia Pannell); "Demographic Influences on New England's Labor Force" (George Masnick); "A Quality Labor Supply" (Lynn E. Browne); "Liberal Learning and Technology" (John C. Hoy); "Engineering and Technological Education in New England" (Joan H. Grebe); commentaries by Lynn E. Browne and Suzanne Lorant, and questions and answers. (SW)