THE RANKS OF ARBITRATORS SHOULD BE EXPANDED BY BRINGING NEW PRACTITIONERS INTO THE FIELD. FURTHERMORE, THERE IS A NEED FOR PRACTICING ARBITRATORS TO UPGRADE THEIR SKILLS. THE GROWTH OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR HAS LED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW GROUP OF ARBITRATORS WITH LITTLE PRIVATE SECTOR EXPERIENCE, WHILE MANY OF THOSE OPERATING IN THE PRIVATE SPHERE FIND THAT PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT ISSUES PRESENT SPECIAL PROBLEMS. INTEREST ARBITRATION RESULTING FROM STATE LEGISLATION GOVERNING POLICE AND FIRE CONTRACTS IS A SPECIAL AREA WITH UNIQUE STANDARDS FOR DECISIONMAKING, BURDEN OF PROOF, USE OF WITNESSES, AND OTHER FEATURES REQUIRING SPECIALIZED TRAINING. MOREOVER, ARBITRATORS MUST BECOME COGNIZANT OF THE AREA OF EXTERNAL LAW AND JUDICIALLY ESTABLISHED STANDARDS FOR COMPLIANCE. ARBITRATORS SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH TEACHERS' SALARY SCHEDULES, STATUTORY STANDARDS FOR SOCIAL WORKERS' CASELOAD, STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING RESTRICTIONS IN BUDGET ALLOCATIONS, WAGE COMPARABILITY, AND SIMILAR CONCERNS. SUCH TRAINING SHOULD BE AVAILABLE THROUGH REGULAR EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS OFFERED NATIONWIDE. WEEK-LONG SEMINARS OR RETREATS, WEEKEND MEETINGS, AND HOURLY SESSIONS COULD PROVIDE SPECIALIZED SHORT COURSES AND TRAINING MATERIALS COULD BE PREPARED. COSTS OF SUCH PROGRAMS SHOULD BE BORNE BY THE ARBITRATORS THEMSELVES, THEIR PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION, AND FOUNDATIONS.