A study identified, measured, and evaluated factors that determined students' entrance into and progress within apprentice training programs, and made policy recommendations pertaining to linkages between vocational education and apprenticeship programs. Three different methods of assessment were used in the study. The primary instrument was a 25-item apprenticeship survey that was completed by 628 first-year apprentices--320 carpenters, 265 machinists, and 43 auto mechanics. It contained questions regarding the apprentices' personal and educational background, trade-related experiences, and sources of information on apprenticeship. In addition, telephone interviews were conducted with 49 of the original 628 respondents and personal interviews were conducted with 21 employers who employed one of the apprentices interviewed by phone. Topics covered in the phone interviews included respondents' motivations for becoming apprentices as well as their evaluations of their high school experiences. While the employer interview focused mainly on ratings of individual apprentices, it also included questions concerning apprentices in general. Based on data from the three instruments, researchers made 17 recommendations pertaining to topics such as steps students can take to gain entrance into apprenticeship programs and the educational needs of students planning to become apprentices. (MN)