A study examined the effects of participation in three types of federal job programs--classroom training, on-the-job training, and work experience--on the postparticipation employment records of black and white men and women. Using data from the Continuous Longitudinal Manpower Survey, researchers examined the employment records of 3,420 black and white individuals who had been enrolled in a Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) program for eight days or more. After making allowances for various sources of statistical error, the researchers determined that program assignment variables did have a significant effect on participants' post-program participation employment rates. For white men and women and for black women, participation in classroom training significantly reduced the odds of being employed on the day after participation in a CETA program. In contrast, on-the-job training significantly increased the odds of employment when compared to participation in work experience programs. Compared to classroom training, the odds of employment after participation in on-the-job CETA programs were 4 times greater for white women, 3 times greater for white men, 2.4 times greater for black women, and 1.7 times greater for black men. For black men and white women, education is a second highly significant variable affecting the odds of employment the day after graduation from a CETA program. After analyzing the pros and cons of policies focusing on increasing the numbers of blacks and women in on-the-job training programs, the researchers recommended the adoption of such policies. (Seven tables and a list of references are appended to this report.) (MN)