Under the direction and leadership of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education and the Alabama Department of Education, Workforce 21 was created as a response to the lack of skilled workers necessary to fill high-skill, high-wage jobs of the 21st century. More than 600 Alabamians representing industry, labor, parents, students, government, and education participated in the Workforce 21 strategic planning process. Workforce 21 provides a clear direction for an effective, accountable system of workforce development and career-focused education in the state's public schools and two-year colleges. Stakeholders identified five "imperatives" and corresponding strategies for the strategic plan. The imperatives are the foundations for how Alabama will conduct career/technical education in its secondary and postsecondary institutions. These imperatives are to: (1) ensure that students attain the skills and knowledge they will need in the workplace and for continued learning; (2) expand options for students to achieve career and education goals; (3) anticipate and respond quickly to changes in the workplace and in society; (4) continuously improve the quality of programs and services; and (5) demonstrate accountability. Future initiatives of career/technical education will promote achievement of one or more of these imperatives. Because this is a long-range plan, action steps and outcomes will be identified annually. (JJL)