The challenge of preparing young people for employment and facilitating the smooth transition from school to work has spurred the enactment of the federal School-to-Work Opportunities Act (STWOA), in May 1994. The intent of STWOA is to establish a national framework in which states can create work- and school-based learning systems that include activities to match students with employers. Community colleges play an integral role as facilitators of effective school-to-work systems in three ways: as a primary link between secondary and post-secondary education; by offering transition programs such as tech prep and cooperative and career education; and via collaborations with employers, the community, government, and labor organizations. Community colleges can strengthen the pathways between high school and higher education by coordinating courses of study at both levels; incorporating career exploration and decision-making into the curriculum; providing instruction in work attitudes, communication, and critical thinking skills; emphasizing continuous self-improvement in courses; and building upon existing job skills. Issues remain, however, regarding the grass-roots implementation of school-to-work programs, including what businesses' liability will be for student apprentices; who will pay for consistent assessment and outcomes measurement; who will set accountability standards and how they will be measured; and how employer-driven, work-based learning opportunities for young people will be ensured. (KP)