ike a roller-coaster ride, economic trends in Northern Indiana and nationally during the first quarter of 2008 have seen sharp drops, some up-ticks, and then dramatic slides once again. The storms on Wall Street among investment banks and the national tightening of credit for not only mortgage-seekers but also businesses both large and small has fueled the day-to-day swings, in large part.

However, additional key factors are in play propelling these trends, including the impacts on Northern Indiana's workforce and economy of striking advances in globali-
zation and technology. Futurist Ed Barlow describes how global structural changes occurring now and foreseen in the future, based on exhaustive and con- tinuous research, are affecting Northern Indiana's workforce preparation, economic devel- opment, education, gov- ernment and other factors.

Barlow's message, in part, addresses aspects of K-through-12 education, and this issue of WorkOne Employer eNews covers several efforts of the Twenty-first Century Scholars program in north-central Indiana. The program focuses on preparing students beginning in seventh grade to attend college after high school graduation.

Within 24 Months, Work-related Technical Data Will Double Every 72 Hours and the Internt Will Double Every 120 Days
   Technology and Globalization are Moving Mountains in Economic Landscape, and Northern Indiana Needs To Adapt to Structural Changes, Says Futurist Ed Barlow
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South Bend Eighth Graders Learn On-The-Job Lessons, such as 'It's Hard Working' and Everyone Needs to 'Learn Patience'
   21st Century Scholars Shadow Real-World Professionals and Experience Workplace Atmosphere To Begin Prepping for Future Careers
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