Women's success in nontraditional blue collar jobs in the skilled trades or crafts appears to be tied to three separate but interrelated issues which are a function of differences in social background and shift in the structure of employment and economic opportunities for women, according to qualitative data gathered in in-depth interviews of more than 100 women in three western cities. The three critical issues are "self identification as a worker"; "work savvy" based on lengthy work experience in blue collar environments; and "task competency," knowing what's required to do the job and what has to be done to become competent. The women were interviewed as they were entering a new employment or training setting and were followed over a three-year period. Preliminary findings suggest a profile of the high probability succeeder in a nontraditional blue collar job. The study also suggests the need to evaluate existing social policy and strategies for recruiting and developing women in nontraditional skilled jobs in terms of the extent to which the policies (1) assure a minimal familiarity with blue collar work and workers prior to job assignment; (2) focus on helping people become competent at the job rather than striving for "acceptance" of newcomers in the job; (3) promote surrounding newcomers with task-competent and "savvy" men and women; and (4) assure stable employment. (In-depth interviews with three women are included.) (KC)