This volume is the second of three reporting research that is intended to help postsecondary occupational education deans and directors become able to plan more strategically for using new instructional technologies to meet emerging needs. The document contains the findings from three background studies in three chapters. "Emerging Information Technologies of Significance for Postsecondary Occupational Education" (Christopher J. Dede) is divided into two parts. Part 1 presents two scenarios that demonstrate the technical advances, with 94 references. Part 2 discusses the functions that are emerging as the result of work in the information technologies. These are divided into three themes: knowledge representation, user interfaces, and computer-supported work. Then, the hardware evolution that will support the implementation of these capabilities is summarized. The next chapter is "Technology-Related Occupational Displacement and Training Needs, Especially among Women and Minorities" (Karla M. Back, O. W. Markley). It defines job displacement and technology-related changes in occupations, explores causes of job displacement and costs of technology-related job displacement, and addresses considerations and options for the future, concluding with 23 references. "Public-Private Initiatives as a Policy Option for Improving Occupational Education" (Paul C. Fama, Karla M. Back, O. W. Markley) analyzes how collaboration could be used for new initiatives that link economic development and vocational education planning. A 25-item bibliography is included. (YLB)