Of all the education and training providers in the United States,community colleges and two-year technical colleges are in the bestposition to respond directly and quickly to the ideals of theSchool-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994. The act promotes asystemic appreach to preparing a global workforce by establishing aframework within which states can create school-to-work systems.Community colleges are an important linchpin in the new paradigm.particularly as the neutral convener of the new collaborative andentrepreneurial partnerships, consortia, and coalitions that willbe necessary. This issue demonstrates how community colleges areengaged in strengthening existing partnerships with schools,employers, and labor- and community-based organizations as theydevelop new programs to address the three major components ofschool-to-work systems. This issue will serve as a valuableresource guide for school-to-work practitioners as they build onthese partnerships. This is the 97th issue in the journal seriesNew Directions for Community Colleges.