Private sector training is a primary force in education in the United States for a number of reasons: (1) the sheer amount of such training makes it a major factor; (2) this training has a significant impact on the nation's productivity and competitiveness; (3) it plays a major role in creating innovative and cost-effective solutions to training problems; and (4) innovations in training in the corporate world can be transferred to the schools. The role that the private sector plays in education is not widely known. The application of its solutions to broader education problems fails to occur because of lack of awareness. A conceptual model of training such as that used in private industry is described; this approach could be used to improve education. This model of training considers the audience, the content, the process of training, and the cost. These factors are first described individually and then integrated into a data-based, multivariate model. Use of the model represents an opportunity to achieve a full understanding of private sector training. (KC)