An immediate re-evaluation of vocational and technical education in Virginia has become urgent because of our changing economy, the rapid growth of technological knowledge and the increasing urbanization of our population.

The "explosion of knowledge" in the field of science and technology has had a tremendous impact on vocational and technical education. Autoomation and other advances have eliminated many jobs, changed many that remain, and created many new jobs.

The nature of jobs now available in Virginia business and industry demands a higher level of skills from more people than is now afforded by the available vocational and technical training.

In addition, if Virginia is to continue to attract new industry, the need for workers with new and advanced skills becomes even greater.

Conversely, more and more Virginians must have the necessary training to obtain employment and be able to advance in their chosen occupations. This will mean better paying jobs and rising standards of living for many Virginians.

These conditions - advanced skills, more knowledge and increased pay - are creating greater respect for the status and dignity of vocationally trained workers. There is a growing awareness that the new jobs created by technological development can lead to rewarding lifetime careers.

Accordingly, the General Assembly of Virginia, at its 1962 Regular Session, adopted House Joint Resolution No. 81, creating the Commission on Vocational Education, to make a study and offer recommendations for improving vocational and technical education in the publicly-supported schools and at the post-high school level.

The following were appointed as members of the Commission: by the President of the Senate: Curry Carter, of Staunton, and Harold H. Purcell, of Louisa; by the Speaker of the House of Delegates: Howard P. Anderson, of Halifax; D. French Slaughter, Jr., of Culpeper; and W. Roy Smith, of Petersburg; and by the Governor: Lawrence A: Hill, Director, Danville Technical Institute, Danville; Mrs. Carolyn Moses Lusardi, Housewife and School Teacher, Brookneal; Dr. William H. McFarlane, Director, State Council of Higher Education, Richmond; George L. Sandvig, Director, Division of Vocational Education, State Department of Education, Richmond; Henry W. Tulloch, Manager of Employee and Community Relations, General Electric Company, Waynesboro; and Woodrow W. Wilkerson, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Richmond. (Prior to the conclusion of the study, Mr. Hill resigned from his position with Danville Technical Institute, and entered into the employment of the Division of Vocational Education, State Department of Education.)

The Governor appointed W. Roy Smith as Chairman of the Commission. During the course of the study, Mr. Smith, on account of the press of business and the demand upon his time by other activities, requested the Governor to relieve him from his duties as Chairman of the Commission. The Governor then appointed D. French Slaughter, Jr., to succeed Mr. Smith as Chairman.

The Commission elected Mrs. Lusardi as Vice-Chairman. The Chairman, Mr. Smith, appointed John B. Boatwright, Jr., as Secretary, and Wildman S. Kincheloe, Jr., as Recording Secretary.

In order to ascertain the extent of offerings in vocational and technical education in the public schools of the State, as well as the number of students enrolled in the various courses offered, the Commission sent a questionnaire to all division superintendents of schools. Likewise, questionnaires were sent to the directors and principals of technical institutes, area vocational-technical schools, and technical schools operated by several of the State-supported institutions of higher learning, to ascertain the vocational and technical courses offered, fees, dormitory and dining hall accommodations, scholarships, enrollment, enrollment capacity, and capital outlay. Compilations were made from the information given in the answers to these questionnaires.

The Commission, in order to gain first hand information about vocational and technical education offered in the State, made inspection tours of Danville Technical Institute, the Danville Branch of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Roanoke Technical Institute, the Washington County Technical School at Abingdon, the Wise County Technical School at Wise, Clinch Valley College at Wise, and the Vocational-Technical Program at the E. C. Glass High School at Lynchburg. Several members of the Commission toured the Burlington Industrial Education Center at Burlington, North Carolina, this being one of the regional industrial education centers operated by the State of North Carolina.

In addition, three members of the Commission visited a State Industrial Training Program in Orangeburg, South Carolina, a new technical education center in Greenville, in that State, and heard explanations of South Carolina's occupational training program by members of the professional staff of South Carolina's Committee for Technical Education.

A public hearing was held in Richmond, and on this occasion many interested individuals, local and State officials, and representatives of local chambers of commerce and other groups appeared and gave the Commission the benefit of their suggestions and pertinent information possessed by them.

Conferences were held with Joseph G. Hamrick, Director, Division of Industrial Development and Planning of the State of Virginia, Richard C. Holmquist, Executive Director, Virginia Industrialization Group, Charles H. Taylor, Executive Vice-President, Virginia Manufacturers Association, and J. Eldred Hill, Jr., Commissioner, William B. Purser, Assistant Commissioner, and Randolph Bruce, Chief of Research, Statistics and Information, of the Virginia Employment Commission.

Also, Lucian Lombardi, Chief of the Bureau of Technical Institutes, Department of Education of the State of Connecticut, and Dr. Gerald B. James, Director of Vocational Education, Department of Public Instruction of the State of North Carolina, met with the Commission by invitation, and explained in detail the vocational and technical education programs in their respective states.

The Commission was fortunate in securing the services, as Consultant, of Dr. Lynn A. Emerson, a recognized authority in the field of vocational and technical education.

The Commission held many meetings, and considered at length the information and data acquired through the activities detailed above, and the information and suggestions presented to it. As a result, the Commission presents its findings, recommendations and conclusions.