This guide explains to community and business persons what Vocational Education for Special Students (VESS) programs are and what they will be expected to do as participants in the programs. The guide provides an overview of VESS, which is aimed at providing job skills to disadvantaged and handicapped students through a community college/cooperative education program. It then presents in short summary format the major items that a business person who provides a cooperative work experience for such students needs to know. Topics covered include the following: the role of the training sponsor; roles of various personnel involved; establishment of the program, including the training agreement, insurance, the training plan, and certificates; how to function as a training representative; what students are like; the value of the program; and legal issues, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and safety. An interview with a training representative is provided to give employers insight into the daily activities of the training representative and the students. (KC)