This focus on human capital is the subject of increasing discussion in the popular business press. The Wall Street Journal recently quoted John Taylor, spokesman for Bridgestone/Firestone in an article investigating the attractiveness of local areas to expanding businesses.

entry into high technology industries will be highly attractive to mobile and expanding industries.

Future Growth:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (1996-97 Occupational Outlook Handbook) the top six job growth fields for the 21st century are technology driven: ¥Health Care ¥Biotechnology ¥Lasers ¥Computer Graphics ¥Information Technology ¥Robotics

These fastest growing industries will have higher education requirements and will hire people with a college degree to fill high paying positions. The figure above right illustrates how the number of positions requiring at least a Bachelor's degree is expected to increase over 25% by the year 2004. The fastest growing jobs, by level of education, will uniformly require completion of some higher education program.

Mr. Taylor explained that Bridgestone/ Firestone chose Aiken County, SC as the location for a new car and light-truck tire factory because it "offers both a good quantity and quality work force."

SEMATECH, a non-profit research and development consortium of 10 semiconductor manufacturers, warns that the industry is facing a work force dilemma that will likely persist for several years. That industry will need 40,000 workers skilled in math and science in the next five years.

Companies will increasingly rely on college graduates and technically trained workers to fill entry level positions. The States that act now to expand their pipelines of workers that are properly prepared for