Efforts to improve career outcomes for youth in the United States and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries were reviewed. The review focused on the following topics: trends in the employment and schooling levels of youth in OECD countries; the emerging consensus on preparing all youth for careers; and approaches for dealing with disadvantaged youth. A strong consensus that close institutional links between industries and schools are critical to improving career outcomes appeared to be emerging in most OECD countries. Most countries were moving to strengthen vocational education, especially work-based programs leading to certification and involving work-based and contextualized learning. Although standard training programs for disadvantaged out-of-school youth were rarely effective, the experience with job creation demonstrations was somewhat more positive. Programs closely linked with industry sectors and programs offering realistic pathways to careers appeared promising. The following were among the guidelines presented for new school-to-career demonstrations: (1) emphasize programs to help young people develop careers rather than to simply find employment; (2) promote entry into existing apprenticeship programs and expand apprenticeship into new arenas; and (3) continue to provide options for community service employment but require sponsors to do better in linking graduates to future education, certification, and career options. (Contains 58 references.) (MN)