Problems of unemployed youth are presented in the context of urban development in nine American cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. The migration during the 1950's of the urban white population to the suburbs initiated a significant change in the economic and demographic structure of the American city. Simultaneously substantial numbers of nonwhites, mostly Negroes from the South, were migrating to the inner city in search of job opportunities and high wages. However, traditional job opportunities in urban manufacturing were decreasing. For example, manufacturing employment in New York City declined by 18 percent between 1953 and 1965, compared with a gain of 7 percent for its suburban counties. Also, between 1960 and 1965, the inner city Negro teenage population increased by over 50 percent. Within this setting of industrial and demographic change, vocational education and employment are examined with particular reference for minority youth and for requirements of manpower and training programs. Related reports on national trends and on profiles of the states are available as ED 029 112. (CH)