THE INITIAL OPERATIONS OF THE NEW JERSEY OCCUPATIONAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT UNIT, DURING AN 18-MONTH PERIOD, WERE DESCRIBED. THE UNIT USED A VARIETY OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TECHNIQUES TO SERVE SUCH STATE AND LOCAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION NEEDS AS TEACHER EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION, PROGRAM EVALUATION, PILOT AND DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS, FACILITY PLANNING, EQUIPMENT SELECTION, AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT. FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITIES OF THE UNIT INCLUDED (1) STIMULATING AND COORDINATING EFFORTS, (2) PARTICIPATING IN THE STUDY AND SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS, AND (3) DISSEMINATING INFORMATION SIGNIFICANT TO VOCATIONAL EDUCATION. (JH)