Intended primarily for directors of occupational education in large cities, this document presents suggested guidelines for the development of a comprehensive occupational education system (COES) based upon the COER (Comprehensive Occupation Education Research) Project model developed in New York City. After describing the background, objectives, and implementation of the COER Project and briefly explaining the systems approach to planning, the recommended action steps for planning such a system are presented under the following twelve major divisions: a comprehensive occupational education plan for a major metropolitan area; occupational education and labor market needs; curriculum development; coordination--involvement, business, industry, labor, the community; public attitudes; vocational guidance, counseling, placement and follow-up; personnel development; articulation; monitoring and evaluation; remediation; handicapped and bilingual; and planning alternative facilities for comprehensive occupational education: a career development center. Finally, guidelines for planning a career development center facility are presented. (BM)