From its position in the Office of the Secretary of Labor, the Women's Bureau participates in departmental policy making and program planning and serves as a coordinating body in the Department of Labor for programs affecting women. Among its activities are the following: initiating and supporting research in economic, social, and legislative areas and making policy recommendations; testing innovations through demonstration projects; and carrying out an information and education program. Striking demographic changes in the U.S. labor force are shaping education and training needs. The annual growth rate for the labor force from 1990-2005 is projected to be 1.3 percent, down from 1.9 percent in the previous 15-year period. Labor force entrants will be almost equally women and men; those leaving are more likely to be men. The fastest growing segments of the labor force--women and minority groups--are disproportionately employed in slow-growing or declining occupations. Recent Women's Bureau initiatives include the following: 10 regional roundtables on the employment needs of midlife women; directory of nontraditional training and employment programs serving women; network of women's support groups around the country to provide help to women seeking information on job issues; a Women in Highway Construction project; the Glass Ceiling initiative to open up higher level leadership opportunities; and access to mathematics and science education initiative. (YLB)