This report examines the composition, challenges, needs, and training opportunities of the emerging nontraditional work force. By the year 2000, 87 percent of newcomers to the United States' workforce will be Asians, Hispanics, Blacks, women returning to work, and immigrants. After an introduction, the report provides information on the following: the national work force--current status and projected changes; the California work force--current status and projected changes; California's employment and training programs--an overview and analysis; and conclusions and recommendations. The following recommendations are a broad range of policy options that may be used to craft California's employment and training programs into a "system": (1) create a state department of employment and job training, develop a voucher system, and create a comprehensive labor market needs database reflecting local, regional, and statewide work force demands; (2) expand the apprenticeship model of job training and provide opportunities for clients to obtain technical skills and employment by combining vocational education and apprenticeship components; and (3) eliminate impediments that discourage access to employment and job training, provide support services, explore tax credit and exemption policies, and create an applied technology education articulation model. Two appendices contain employment and training programs by purpose and description and a chart of reports and evaluations of employment and training programs. (NLA)