The effectiveness of employment and training (E&T) programs in improving labor market outcomes can be assessed by measuring the impact on the future success of participants. The program with the greatest success in reducing dropout rates among at-risk youth is the Quantum Opportunities Project. Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) and Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) programs have been unsuccessful in raising employment or earnings of disadvantaged out-of-school youth, whereas the Job Corps program has shown marked success in improving earnings. E&T programs for young single mothers have produced moderate increases in employment and education levels. Evidence from a Chicago program indicates residential location has a substantial effect on education and employment outcomes for youth. The CETA program for disadvantaged adults produced significant earnings gains for women; JTPA has yielded gains for both men and women. Many programs targeted at poor single parents have produced significant earnings gains. The effects of higher education are very positive and have steadily increased over the past 20 years. Employer-provided training can substantially raise firm productivity and improve worker earnings. At least some services have been successful for every population examined, and many employment services for displaced workers and disadvantaged persons appear to be cost-effective investments. (Two tables of programs for out-of-school youth and of major upcoming evaluations are appended.) (YLB)