Worker education and retraining is a key component of economic competitiveness, requiring the collective efforts of business, government, and education to secure and use revenue creatively and efficiently. Approximately 85% of the workforce of the year 2000 is already employed today, and up to 75% of those workers will need significant job retraining in the next decade. Community colleges have experience in providing workforce training and education, and are well positioned for worker training in small and medium-sized companies, where training is most needed. Since current workforce education programs in community colleges are limited primary by inadequate resources, innovate public-private partnerships are the most realistic and promising method of supporting these programs. Community college leaders need to work with government and business representatives to develop policies and funding mechanisms that provide incentives to business for investment. At Monroe Community College, examples of financing initiatives include outsourcing of community college expertise, obtaining direct and indirect government grants, training government employees, and participating in a consortium effort. Existing monies can by used more efficiently through public-private partnerships, distance learning, and systems management. (ECC)