Midlife and older women are at an economic disadvantage relative to their male counterparts and younger women. Older women should be served by the nation's employment, training, and vocational programs. Interviews with participants and operators of employment and training programs identified six program components needed to serve older women: (1) esteem building and career information; (2) education and basic skills; (3) occupational skills training; (4) support services; (5) follow-up assistance; and (6) targeted funding. Participation by these women in three federal programs was examined: the Job Training Partnership Act, the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act, and Section 502(e) of Title V of the Older Americans Act. None of the three federal programs regularly provides all six components. Six policy recommendations would improve job training and employment programs: adequate funding, language targeting older women, better coordination, support services, a universal data collection system, and federal leadership in knowledge exchange. Present and proposed federal provisions that support older women's economic self-sufficiency through employment should be reviewed by policymakers, administrators, and advocates to formulate strategies. (Endnotes and summary descriptions of the three federal programs are included.) (NLA)