As is the case in many developing countries, Honduras's vocational training and job placement systems were plagued by high dropout and low job placement rates. After deciding that the issue of relevance was the key to improving the country's job training system, a trade advisory committee set about to develop a series of competency-based instructional modules and certification exams that are now being used at four of the country's vocational training institutions (public and private). Students receive self-paced, industry-specific job training, certification, and job placement assistance. The early results of the Honduran system have been most encouraging. Dropout rates have been reduced from 40 or 50 percent to between 5 and 15 percent. The combined trade certification and job placement program has made it possible to establish a quality control mechanism that provides immediate feedback on the relevance and quality of the training being provided. The program's improved completion and placement rates have reduced overall training costs substantially. Because of its early success, the program is being expanded to train, certify, and find employment for 15,000 youths and adults over the course of the next 5 years. (MN)