In addition to the challenges that workforce development and community organizations have addressed for years, structural changes in the economy heighten obstacles, make the stakes higher if we fail to conquer them, and, therefore, require new levels of openness and creativity by  18  For more information about The Hitachi Foundation, go to www.hitachifoundation.org/index.php.
19  While the common perception may be that businesses do not invest in employee training, a survey by the American Society for Training and Development indicated that employers committed $ billion in 2011 to employee training. See American Society for Training and Development (2011), “2011 State of the Industry Report Shows Increased Spending, Commitment for L&D,” December 20.