The possibility of improving employability skills through cooperative education and tech prep was examined in an action research project involving high school students from two neighboring suburban communities in northern Illinois. The extent to which the schools were currently teaching employment and career development skills was examined by surveying the following groups: 106 current students; an unspecified number of graduates of both schools; 23 local employers; and 86 vocational and academic teachers. The surveys established that students and graduates lacked critical employability skills. A probable cause analysis was conducted. The results were used to develop an intervention emphasizing relevance to the real world and use of cooperative learning strategies to facilitate development of skills in the following areas: job search, communication, technological literacy, work ethics, critical thinking, work safety, teamwork, and career exploration. Postintervention surveys indicated that the intervention increased the students' confidence in their employability skills. (The bibliography lists 14 references. Appended are the following: high school student, high school graduate, employer, and teacher surveys; checklist listing workplace skills and career development competencies adopted by the Illinois State Board of Education as part of the Illinois Learning Standards; and a cooperative education evaluation form.) (MN)