A career training program funded by the Job Training Partnership Act was developed in Loudon County, Tennessee, to alleviate the stresses that are described in the hypothesis that occupational aspirations and expectations are lower for rural, female, economically disadvantaged, and handicapped youth than they are for other youth. To participate, students had to be from a family living below current poverty levels or have a handicapping condition, registered at one of three county high schools and enrolled in a vocational class, age 16 or older, able to read at grade 5 or 6 level, willing to attend/participate in class sessions, and willing to take all pre/post tests. In groups of 9 or 10, students attended 2-hour sessions for 36 weeks and met for at least 4 individual conferences. After assessment and maturity, and basic education competencies. Students were evaluated by the career training instructor, vocational instructor, and employer on a monthly basis. In 3 years, the program has served a total of 170 students, 143 of whom were seniors and/or had been in school 12 or more years. Follow-up of 2-year participants revealed that at 90 or 180 days, 68% retained their initial jobs or moved up to better positions. One year after program exit, 86% were employed. (NEC)