Investigation indicated factors other than human resource variables must be used to understand unemployment status. Based on a 1979 survey of a random sample (N=640) of rural adult California residents from a multi-county development district, 15 human resource development factors (including educational level, job training, match of work skills and work role, job satisfaction, labor union participation, and migration attitudes) were shown to be relatively unimportant in the explanation of length of unemployment and of only marginal use as potential discriminators of employed-unemployed people. The human resource development model, a part of development philosophy since the late 19th century, is based on the contention that investments in human beings will benefit the recipients by making them better able to participate in society. The theory assumes that unemployment is directly related to a lack of work role skills and that skill modification will result in employment. However, if work roles requiring sophisticated skills do not exist in rural areas, then there is little utility in extensive human resource development within such communities (i.e., the trained must leave to find jobs). It is suggested, therefore, that local employment structures should be carefully examined, that emphasis be placed upon economic infrastructure development, and that job training follow job creation. (SB)