This report focuses on the experiences of a group of high school dropouts who participated in two experimental programs; one of which offered courses leading to a high school diploma and the other which offered skill training in one of three occupational areas. The programs were conducted to test whether obtaining a diploma or skill training increased the employment opportunities of former dropouts. A 33 month followup study was made of those who participated as well as of comparable groups of young people. Removal of barriers to employment represented by the absence of a high school diploma did not increase employment opportunities for either the subjects on the comparison group attending regular high school. It appears that it was not the inadequacies of preparation these young people received that limited their opportunities as much as the general lack of employment opportunities available to youngsters with their background--that is, structural limitations in our society. The recommendation is made that training be conducted only when each trainee can be guaranteed a satisfactory job placement, and that future programs focus on improving job skills without the rhetoric of rehabilitation. (Author/CJ)