DURING THE SPRING OF 1964, A STUDY OF THE TRAINING NEEDS OF RURAL DISADVANTAGED NEGRO FAMILIES IN NORTH CAROLINA WAS CONDUCTED IN 12 COMMUNITIES. INFORMATION WAS GATHERED ON EDUCATIONAL LEVEL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT HISTORY, THE EXTENT OF POOR HEALTH AND PHYSICAL HANDICAPS, LEVELS OF OCCUPATIONAL ASPIRATION AND WILLINGNESS TO MIGRATE AND/OR TO PARTICIPATE IN TRAINING PROGRAMS TO ATTAIN THESE ASPIRATIONS, KNOWLEDGE OF PUBLIC AGENCIES, ACCESS TO COMMUNICATION MEDIA, ORGANIZATIONAL PARTICIPATION, AND INFORMAL LEADERSHIP PATTERNS. TWO QUESTIONNAIRES WERE USED--ONE TO OBTAIN DATA ABOUT THE HOUSEHOLD FROM THE HOUSEHOLD HEAD, AND ONE COMPLETED BY ALL IN THE SAMPLE HOUSEHOLDS BETWEEN 15 AND 49 YEARS OF AGE, NO LONGER IN SCHOOL, AND NOT DISABLED. THE LOW EDUCATIONAL LEVEL INDICATES THAT FEW OF THE RESPONDENTS ARE LIKELY TO QUALIFY FOR TECHNICAL TRAINING WITHOUT FURTHER BASIC EDUCATION. THERE APPEARS TO BE INTEREST AMONG ADULTS IN EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING PROGRAMS PERCEIVED AS RELEVANT TO BETTER JOB OPPORTUNITIES, ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE FREE AND GIVEN LOCALLY. HOWEVER, INCOME LEVELS ARE SO LOW AND MANY INDIVIDUALS ARE ALREADY SO DISCOURAGED THAT THE WIDESPREAD TRANSLATION OF THIS INTEREST INTO PARTICIPATION IN SUCH PROGRAMS IS LIKELY TO BE SUCCESSFUL ONLY TO THE EXTENT THAT LOCAL LEADERS AT THE SMALL COMMUNITY LEVEL UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS AND ARE COMMITTED TO THEM. (AJ)