A report and a bibliography are provided from a project designed to provide a greater understanding of sophisticated technologies and to provide direction for vocational education curriculum revision in Illinois. The report begins with an introduction. Section 2 provides a conceptual and operational understanding of sophisticated technologies by identifying, defining, and developing a classification scheme. Section 3 considers technology as a means of restoring the United States to its former competitive status and addresses the impact of technology on the work force, both on future occupations and on skill requirements. Section 4 reviews and analyzes recent work force competency literature and summarizes interviews conducted. Conclusions are made regarding the competencies of the work force of the future. Section 5 discusses education to prepare the future labor force, including secondary and postsecondary vocational programs, core-plus-specialty curriculum design, tech prep 2+2, and advanced technology centers. Section 6 makes recommendations for the future direction of vocational education in Illinois. Thirty-four references are appended. The Sophisticated Technology Bibliography contains 155 references related to sophisticated technologies, the future work force, and vocational education. Each entry consists of the following: author or sponsoring institution, date of publication, title, place of publication, publisher, and key words. (YLB)