This manual is designed to assist school personnel, employers, parents/guardians, and students in understanding the policies and procedures required to operate effective occupational work experience (OWE) programs. The OWE mission statement appears first. Chapter I describes the OWE program, its structure, types of program organization, and physical facilities. Chapter II addresses briefly student and teacher/coordinator schedules. Chapter III covers vocational certification, academic certification and endorsements for teachers/coordinators, and professional development. Chapters IV-V provide overviews of course of study, occupational competency analysis profile, and vocational unit funding through the Educational Management Information System. Chapters VI-VIII focus on the student concerns: selection, enrollment process, and job placement (state and federal minor labor laws, teacher/coordinator and job supervisor responsibilities, training agreement, training plan, and evaluation). Chapter IX discusses coordination and extended service and lists appropriate coordination activities and types of extended service. Chapters X-XVII cover the following aspects of OWE programs: program accountability; recordkeeping; advisory committees; public relations; OWE student organization; agency coordination; vocational education planning districts; and state staff. Appendixes include definitions and sample program forms. (YLB)