To meet new market requirements and respond to increasing international competition, enterprises in Australia are introducing competitive strategies involving workplace reform. Many enterprises are adopting a strategy for change that is focused on human resource development rather than on technology. A four-phase model of development for an organization has been described in which the structural and cultural requirements of each phase are described. In Australia, the restructuring of industrial awards is an important part of the process of workplace reform. Workplace reform is having a big impact on the skills required of the work force. Consequently, substantial changes to vocational education and training are needed. Workplace reform will increase demand for vocational education and training and affect the type of vocational education and training required. Four case studies indicate the importance of vocational education and training in the competitive strategies of these enterprises: Printco, a supplier of newsprint; ALCOA of Australia Limited, an aluminum producer; South Australian Engineering and Water Supply Department; and Perry Engineering which engages in heavy engineering. The case studies demonstrate that Technical and Further Education needs to compete for the market of trade apprenticeship programs on the grounds of price, quality, and flexibility. (Contains 30 references.) (YLB)