The United States has never had a consistent, unified work force development system. Instead, because of citizens' preference for decentralized government, most efforts at work force development have been sporadic and localized. From the 1960s until the early 1990s, Congress enacted between 125 and 175 narrowly-focused categorical employment training programs administered by over 20 federal agencies. Even these efforts, however, were fragmented and directed mostly at minority groups and disadvantaged populations. When President Clinton was running for office and for the first 2 years after his election, programs were proposed that would have created a work force development system, including educational reforms, job training, employer investment, and job creation. With the political changes of 1994, however, most efforts at work force development have been halted. Older job training programs have been slashed and new initiatives seem doomed for the present and foreseeable future. Only when citizens tire of having their standard of living slip and seeing their children without the prospect of jobs that pay a living wage will they demand a change in policy that will lead to more coordinated efforts toward job creation and worker training. (This paper includes facts about the U.S. labor force, 1994 youth employment statistics, an American Youth Policy Forum position paper on linking school and employment, and a list of elements of an effective work force development system.) (KC)