The most serious problem with the current work force preparation system is that many employment and training programs operate today to serve roughly the same people. Instead, these programs should be coordinated better to lower costs in the face of lowered funding. The General Accounting Office reports that about 125 federal programs do approximately the same thing; others make that number higher, although the reality may be closer to 10 duplicative programs. This situation developed because Congress continually creates new programs to serve one group or another rather than fixing existing programs. Interim measures that would standardize five elements in all of these programs could help now. The five elements are eligibility definitions, annual operating cycles, cost categories, cost limitations, and funding obligation and carryover provisions. Because there is not enough funding to revise all programs completely, five steps could be undertaken to force existing programs into a rational, cost-effective, accountable human resource investment system. The five steps are as follows: (1) develop and require all programs to use a core information system with uniform terms and definitions; (2) capture basic demographic information, record services provided, and report outcomes obtained; (3) set the system up so that all programs could share information and eliminate duplicative data collection; (4) develop a complementary set of results-oriented performance standards that lead to long-term self-sufficiency for all programs in the system; and (5) standardize the fiscal and administrative procedures and cost categories that currently apply to all the programs. These changes would simplify access for clients and vastly simplify the cost of doing business for all programs. (KC)