A study of the aging work force and vocational education trends in Wisconsin was conducted using the following methods: literature review, analysis of a sample of 10% of Wisconsin technical college student records for 1986-1990, a focus group discussion with 5 employers and one with 10 adult students over 40, and a telephone survey of 100 employers and one of 200 students over 40 at Fox Valley Technical College. Among the conclusions are the following: (1) progress is hampered by the multiple meanings of such terms as "aging work force,""older worker,""lifelong learning," and "training"; (2) skills obsolescence is the greatest single issue, the scope of which is difficult to determine; (3) older adults need better information about the importance of continuing education to successful employment; (4) programs for disadvantaged mature workers should be prevention oriented rather than crisis oriented; (5) employers may not be the best judges of current and future skill levels; (6) technical colleges need a better understanding of the adult clientele; (7) age discrimination still exists in employment and education; and (8) continued training and skill upgrading are needed by all employees, necessitating a more formal approach to employee training. (The report includes the following: 41 charts, 16 tables, 27 references, 3 appendices containing employer and adult student survey forms and focus group questions, and an annotated bibliography of 14 items.) (NLA)