A project was undertaken to establish a cooperative work experience program in building trades entrepreneurship. The first phase of the program, which was implemented in Baltimore, Maryland, involved the formation of a task force that included representatives of the school, business, industry, and public sectors. Eventually, two Baltimore contractors each agreed to hire four economically disadvantaged students for a two-year work experience program. In order to alleviate the employers' fears that the students might not be able to meet strict contract deadlines and might thereby jeopardize their employers' business concerns, the City agreed to allow the employers to deduct up to 85 percent of a program participant's salary for the first year and up to 25 percent provided the student was retained for a second year. Because the contractors eventually lost some of their bids, the number of program participants was reduced to four for the second year. Despite the somewhat limited scope of the project, it was deemed a success in that it provided the students with an exposure to the advantages and disadvantages of self-employment and afforded them the opportunity to be coached by a seasoned professional in this area. Student interest in entrepreneurship in the building trades appeared to increase after participation in the project. (Two flow charts are appended.) (MN)