This position paper describes Indiana's research goals and efforts to develop a student-centered, industry-referenced approach to performance based vocational education (PBVE) programs and curricula. The introductory section traces the state's efforts to establish priorities and systematically develop performance based programs and describes research efforts, involvement in the Vocational-Technical Education Consortium of States (V-TECS), the work of a curriculum specialists consortium, and the resulting Indiana PBVE Management System. The remainder of this booklet consists of two chapters which focus on the research subsystem of Indiana's PBVE Management System. Chapter 1 describes research efforts to strengthen the link between education and work and covers creating the link, definition of terms, manpower needs, individual student needs (secondary and postsecondary), program articulation needs, and accountability. The second chapter specifies the state's plan for developing multi-occupational PBVE programs, using auto mechanics as an example of how this process works. The content includes developing a program management plan, structuring a program, deriving course content, administering multi-occupational PBVE, and conducting systematic follow-ups of graduates. The appendixes contain the matrix for auto mechanics job titles, a multi-occupational PBVE program worksheet, a task analysis guide and content limits identification worksheet, and estimated equipment lists for engine systems. (EM)