As part of a project to provide techniques for developing and implementing realistic vocational training and placement programs for prisoner rehabilitation, an Automotive Trades Council (ATC) was established to test the concept of using a citizens' council to function as a bridge between correctional and training personnel and the using society. The ATC was then utilized to support the formulation and implementation of an automotive maintenance training program. The first section of this report presents the results of the first year of ATC operation in relation to the successes and failures encountered during the organization, functioning, and administration of the council. Suggestions for minimizing problems and a proposed organizational structure for future ATC operation are included. The second section describes the tasks completed in the process of designing the curriculum: labor market analysis (in the Chicago area), assessment of client needs and services, task analysis for the auto mechanic's job at various skill levels, and assessment of existing training services. The curriculum is then described along with the functions which the ATC, the instructional staffs of the Illinois prisons, and outside contractors will need to perform to develop and implement it. Topics in this section include selection, vocational training component, possible module format, management of the vocational component, employability skills component, basic education component, interface of basic and vocational components, and placement. Appendixes contain survey instruments and task lists for jobs of mechanic's helper, apprentice mechanic, and automotive specialist, plus sample knowledge objectives for the job of apprentice mechanic. (HD)