This publication on the importance of further education is one in a series of booklets written specially for managers in further and higher education in the United Kingdom. The series is intended to provide up-to-date information on current issues in vocational education and training, summaries of key research studies, and perspectives on these issues. This booklet describes further education (FE) as the only part of the educational system able to respond quickly and flexibly to the skills shortages besetting industry and commerce. The FE sector is discussed as the crossroads for all kinds of educational and training routes. The following sections present and discuss recommendations to managers of colleges: (1) they should promote the strengths and virtues of their colleges to counter FE's poor image; (2) mission statements should be published to explain the roles of colleges and their services in language their clients can understand; (3) they should make their priorities clear; (4) they should reform the framework of qualifications through the National Council for Vocational Qualifications; (5) they should market their institutions' experience and expertise at delivering the kinds of vocational qualifications needed to increase FE participation; (6) colleges should restructure their offerings to attract nontraditional clientele; and (7) they should be active in the review and monitoring of the quality of goods and services the colleges produce. Ten references are listed. (YLB)