The potential of higher education to affect business and the needs of employees is considered by a representative of General Motors Corporation. It is suggested that community colleges are one of the most responsive groups to the needs of business and its employees, although the quality and content of programs vary and financial problems hinder cooperative ventures. A problem area is the transfer of credits from 2-year to 4-year colleges. Interinstitutional cooperation is difficult in that courses may not be transferred and residency requirements and tuition rates vary. Arrangements between business and colleges are specific to the institution, and an employee who is transferred before completing the educational program may be in trouble. Schools also have emphasized traditionally-aged rather than adult students, and nontraditional programs continue to struggle to achieve the image and perceived quality of regular university programs. A prime example of interinstitutional cooperation in the technical education area is the Association for Media Based Continuing Engineering Education, a group including 22 universities which produces videotapes in technical areas. Many companies have formed the Technical Education Consortium, including General Motors, Xerox, and IBM, and each has unique concerns and strengths in the area of technical education. General Motors Institute has traditionally been an undergraduate engineering institution but is moving into the continuing technical education arena on a media basis. These companies feel they must offer education to achieve content needs and consistency. Most companies do not have to deal with academic concerns. Since materials can be used virtually worldwide, companies are providing their own form of interinstitutional cooperation. The ability to update programs and offer them on nontraditional schedules is important. The PLATO System of Control Data Corporation is an example of commercially available educational services. An automotive technician program offered through the cooperation of General Motors and a Michigan community college is briefly described. (SW)