The third biennial outcome evaluation of the state of Washington's workforce development system analyzed the results of nine of the state's largest workforce development programs plus employer-provided training for participants who left programs from July 1, 1997 to June 30, 1998. For reporting results, the nine programs were grouped into three training program clusters based on participant characteristics (programs serving adults, programs serving adults with barriers to employment, and programs serving youth). Programs were evaluated in terms of seven desired outcomes (competencies, employment, earnings, productivity, reduced poverty, customer satisfaction, and return on investment), using data from program records of 65,000 persons who left one of the programs during the year studied, mailed survey responses from 4,000 employers, telephone survey responses from 6,791 former participants, and computer matches with employment records and postsecondary education enrollment data. Results were reported in terms of each of the outcomes for each of the program clusters. In general, the following areas of strength were found: participant satisfaction was high; the majority of participants receiving skills training reported improvement; support services met the needs of those receiving them; and employment rates, wages, and earnings were higher than those found in the last evaluation. Areas of weakness identified and targeted for improvement included the following: employer satisfaction, information about job openings and career counseling, child care services provision, gender differences in wages, and training provided by employers. (The surveys used to capture the study data and a detailed analysis are included in the report.) (KC)