A survey investigated what employers in the Thames Valley, England, were looking for in their recruitment of young people aged 16-18. Of 600 companies, 37 percent responded. Twenty percent did not recruit at that age level; 76 percent required two advanced ("A") levels and Pass grades. Recruitment of young people with a General Certificate of Secondary Education showed no clear pattern relating the number of subjects, grades achieved, and type of subject to the job offered. Personal qualities such as aptitude, reliability, and willingness to tackle any task were important at every level of recruitment. Companies rated highly skills in listening, comprehension, speaking, and new technology. Eighty-three percent would not consider taking on a student with learning difficulties. A comparison study of recruitment in Augsburg, West Germany, collected information on the school system in general and on the vocational training system, which consists of the dual-system, apprenticeship that combines practical on-the-job learning with theoretical instruction in vocational schools, and the full-time vocational education system. Another survey collected information on vocational education and training systems for young people in the region of Pays de la Loire, France. Only 10.5 percent of young people failed to continue their education; the large number of continuing students puts a burden on the educational system. (The Thames Valley survey is appended.) (YLB)