THIS STUDY ASSESSES JOB CORPS CURRICULUM AND FACILITIES FOR BASIC ORIENTATION AND EDUCATION OF UNEMPLOYED, DISADVANTAGED, POORLY MOTIVATED YOUTH, AND REVIEWS TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR WELFARE RECIPIENTS IN SANTA CLARA AND ALAMEDA COUNTIES, CALIFORNIA. OBSERVATIONS OF SELECTED JOB CORPS CENTERS REVEALED SUPERIOR PHYSICAL FACILITIES BUT LESS THAN SATISFACTORY HUMAN RELATIONS. SANTA CLARA COUNTY UNDERTOOK VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION, REMEDIAL EDUCATIOON, AND PLACEMENT OF OVER 2800 PERSONS DURING 1964-65, WITH FAVORABLE RESULTS IN JOB PLACEMENTS AND REDUCED WELFARE COSTS. THE ALAMEDA COUNTY PROGRAM ("OPERATION SELF-SUPPORT") PROVIDED VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (LITERACY CLASSES, JOB PREPARATION CLASSES, TRADE COURSES, COUNTY WORK PROJECTS, OUTSIDE OPENINGS) FOR ABOUT 800 CLIENTS, INCLUDING MANY AID TO NEEDY CHILDREN (ANC) MOTHERS. THE 8 CASE HISTORIES FROM THE ALAMEDA COUNTY JOB PREPARATION CLASSES INCLUDE EVALUATIONS BY TRAINEES, AND HIGHLIGHT SUCH PROBLEMS AS SUBSTANDARD EDUCATION, LOW EMPLOYMENT SKILLS, POOR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH, AND CHILD CARE NEEDS. DOCUMENT IS CHAPTER 6 OF RETRAINING THE WORK FORCE, BY IDA R. HOOS, AVAILABLE FOR $6.00 FROM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS, BERKELEY, 94720. (LY)