The Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) mandates that service delivery areas shall expend 40 percent of Title IIA funds on training and employment programs for youth. To ensure quality programs, a substantial portion of resources should be targeted to the most seriously at-risk youth. The most effective youth programs take a comprehensive approach to dealing with youth. Instead of seeking single, one-dimensional solutions, they provide a continuum of services aimed at addressing a broad range of employment-related needs. What works best is an approach that seeks to integrate a broad range of training elements, including basic education, job skill training, work experience, and pre-employment orientation. The approaches that seem to work best and are consistent with the lessons of experience are the following: (1) stress academic remediation; (2) opt for quality, comprehensive training; (3) concentrate on at-risk youth; (4) use a competency-based framework; and (5) seek a coordinated, collaborative working arrangement. However, producing better trained, job-ready youth is not simply a matter of offering more effective training programs. A coordinated effort is needed among the educational community, the business sector, local government, and community groups. Such cooperation is crucial to produce and maintain effective training initiatives. A brief resource list is provided. (KC)