Change is the most prominent characteristic of society and business today. Change is driven by people, technology, and information. In order to remain competitive in the job market, people must constantly update their knowledge. The education system must be evaluated and changed to meet the needs of the economy. Parents and educators need to become partners with businesses in the training of the future work force, and vocational education must become an integral component of the process. According to surveys in Michigan and New York, employers today rate the following as the most important job skills: no substance abuse, honesty and integrity, the ability to follow directions, the ability to read instructions, respect for others, following safety rules, and punctuality and attendance. The least important job skills include mathematics, social sciences, natural sciences, computer programming, foreign languages, art, calculus, and computers. The following shortcomings among today's employment seekers were identified: unrealistic career aspirations; employees who feel their employer "owes them something"; lack of career-related work experience; lack of reading and comprehension skills; lack of written communication skills; absence of tenacity, motivation, and commitment. Five new work roles for the information age are the following: (1) it must be made easier for all to change; (2) everything must be speeded up; (3) thinking must shift toward "new and improved"; (4) thinking should be centered on building our knowledge base; and (5) organizations must stay "in shape" for the next century. (KC)