The Center for Workforce Preparation (CWP), a nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, initiated the Workforce Academies demonstration project to help businesses remain successful in a competitive, tight economy. More than 1,800 business members of the 6 chambers engaged with the Workforce Academies demonstration in 2001 were surveyed to identify their current perspectives and challenges related to hiring, training, retaining, and advancing qualified employees. The following were among the key findings: (1) being able to recruit qualified workers and having a well-trained workforce are critical to the U.S. economy's continued success; (2) small and mid-sized employers are especially unlikely to have the resources to properly address the critical issues of hiring, training, retaining, and advancing qualified employees; and (3) local chambers of commerce are in a unique position to assist such employers and serve as intermediaries in the local marketplace. Next, the participating chambers of commerce conducted a series of workforce academies, which are 1-day forums to inform and catalyze business, workforce, and other community leaders on workforce issues. Next, roundtables were held to allow business leaders to formulate specific recommendations and actions to resolve workforce issues. The demonstration project has documented workforce academies' value in improving local workforce development systems. (Contains 12 figures.) (MN)