This publication examines seven programs that emphasize industrial and educational collaboration for special needs youth and adults in Illinois. The programs use various strategies to help persons with special needs, such as disadvantaged, handicapped, and limited-English-proficient persons, to prepare for the economic and employment mainstream. The seven programs are conducted by Training, Inc.; LIFT, Inc.; Electronic Industries Foundation; Minority Economic Resources Corporation; McDonalds Corporation; Illinois Bell; and Motorola. These programs were chosen for inclusion in the guide to illustrate the variety of target populations being served; a range of employment opportunities in new, emerging and technology-intensive occupations; and the array of training techniques, materials, and incentives used to educate special needs learners. A training program matrix in the guide summarizes the key components and types of students served for each of the programs. The final section of the guide describes the strategies that the programs use for collaboration with schools, community colleges, and other public agencies. A list of references and resources completes the publication. (KC)