Offering an overview and informal appraisal of the Manpower Development and Training Act (MDTA) and its amendments since 1962, the study focuses on the vocational education program and the development of its legislation and administration. The 12 years of manpower training legislation from MDTA to the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) of 1973 and a parallel chronology of legislative history of vocational education since 1963 is analyzed in chapter 1 and the diversity of current interpretations and definitions of career education discussed. The following section deals with group impressions of manpower training issues related to evaluation, training, and the need for national interagency coordination. The third section examines the mixed perceptions and attitudes of vocational educators toward the status of vocational education and manpower training. Examining Project Baseline data and information, conclusions and recommendations of the 1972-73 reports are summarized. The report concludes that vocational education and manpower training and development are not antithetical and competitive; they are compatible and both are dedicated to the same objective of training in the nation's policy for manpower. An appendix offers selected tables; a bibliography; Congressional reports; and a list of evaluation, research, and related studies. (MW)