Community colleges, for example, were begun by the provinces with extensive financial support from the federal government to provide postsecondary education directed toward specific employment opportunities and not to mimic California-style junior colleges. Nonetheless, the temptation to transform themselves into university transfer institutions is considerable and betrays their original mandate and ongoing responsibility. Second, we must provide for the integration of managerial expertise with technical expertise. Technical knowledge is needed but rarely found in top management jobs. Speed is an important feature of the new economy.
Competitive disadvantage is the result.
Third, we must encourage government regulators to break down outdated barriers between academic and vocational programs. The blending of vocational and avocational learning is a key element in education for the new jobs that are emerging. Finally, we must make skills upgrading more accessible for working adults. In British Columbia, for instance, it is very difficult for an applied technician to move up to the technologist level of certification since most of the necessary courses are offered in the day time only at one technical institute. It is essential that part-time studies be more widely available, using a wider range of program delivery methods.