Funded by the Office of Economic Opportunity and carried out in Springfield, Massachusetts, during 1965-67, this training project sought to meet employment needs of disadvantaged high school graduates, the shortage of health professionals, and the need to improve and coordinate professional public health services. It combined a half-time, remunerated field training sequence with a half-time academic curriculum leading to an Associate of Science degree from Holyoke Community College. The project was administered by a trained nurse with a bachelor's degree and several years of public health experience. The academic sequence included several required courses and two public health courses; field training itself was in such areas as child hygiene, health education, environmental sanitation, air pollution, and welfare. Counseling proved to be the chief factor in retaining trainees. Of the original 20 trainees, 16 completed the program. Fourteen received their degree; the other two were still trying to complete their course work. Despite success in training and placement, a serious problem persists in regard to advancement and career development. (A public health aide job description is included.) (LY)