Fifteen California community colleges participated in a program designed to develop and demonstrate a training and internship model that would provide skilled, experienced project managers, especially at the levels of dean and assistant dean, for occupational education in the state's community colleges. Research was conducted to produce a management system and procedures training model with resource materials to serve as an operational guide for a continuing program to develop professional management skills in occupational education leaders. During the initial year of the study, 18 occupational education leaders received training in producing comprehensive system plans for accomplishing practical projects compatible with state and local priority needs. Instruction was provided by a panel of university management specialists and independent consultants, and emphasized product development rather than theoretical training. The consulting team focused upon system approach concepts of product development, with the participants' skill development as a spin-off. A continuous and objective assessment of participant feedback reflected the program's initial success. Through data collection, it was found that the project participants rated the consultant team highly. Management functions were accomplished, and the project met its objective of producing 15 skilled occupational education leaders. (Author/DB)