The Trowbridge House Geriatric Aide Program, performed at MDTA centers in Akron and Cleveland, Ohio, was developed to demonstrate whether the active and positive recruiting methods widely used by proprietary schools could be adapted to obtain more and better qualified disadvantaged persons for skills training; whether a high quality, pre-vocational independent study program (on tape cassettes), presenting orientational, motivational, and communications skills materials could be combined with traditional classroom and laboratory hands-on training to produce "better adjusted, more highly skilled, and more personable" trainees; and whether close relationship throughout the program between trainee and program coordinator, whose role in job development is significant, would result in high placement. Extraordinary results of 82% completion and 98% placement at starting salaries significantly higher than anticipated indicate wide application to skills training of positive recruiting techniques, pre-vocational home study programs, and close relationship with program coordinator. (Author)