The research had four purposes: describe the concept of future orientation; develop measures of future constructs; determine the impact of background, labor markets, and job training on future orientations; and evaluate the validity of the measures as predictors of training outcomes and economic success. Data were collected from a sample of men in an institutional training program. Measures were constructed to tap four components of future achievement orientation: (1) a dispositional motive, (2) a capacity or tendency to plan, (3) the incentive value of future goals, and (4) expectations about the future. Four measures were selected on the basis of internal consistency, stability, and association with achievement related behavior. Five patterns of the motive, planning, and expectancy measures were recoded into a Future Pattern predictor. A Multiple Classification Analysis program was used to assess the predictive validity of the measures of individual components of future achievement orientation and the Future Pattern variable for (1) training outcomes, (2) employment and wage rate at different times, and (3) job search activity. Training outcomes were predicted by all component measures and the Future Pattern variable. The implications of the findings for training and manpower policy are discussed at length. (Author/NH)