In September 1997, more than 900 corporate leaders, educators, work force development professionals, coalition members, employment and training specialists and government officials participated in a conference focused on the new realities in the work force and workplace. The conference featured papers on such topics as the implications of a global economy for employers, workers, and communities and the impact of technology on teaching and learning. Workshops were conducted on the following themes: breaking ground and examining the fundamental issues of education and skills; building linkages and aligning public policy with business reality; constructing a framework for work force development; and empowering a new work force development system and technology. The following were among the topics discussed at the workshops: importance of early childhood education; workplace competencies and skill standards; urgency of math, science, and technology education; welfare-to-work policy challenges in large states; principles of creating learning organizations; process of translating business work force needs into education action; school-to-work and the importance of effective teaching; public policy and workplace realities; private sector responses to today's work force realities; Global 2000 Project; role of public education; successful community strategies for linking work force development and economic development; and employer-employee contracts for the new U.S. workplace. (MN)