This document offers a selected review of literature relevant to retraining displaced workers. A description of the economic conditions leading to the displacement of workers, the nature and scope of the displaced worker problem, and factors potentially affecting displaced workers' participation in adult education and training programs is presented. These factors are categorized into four areas: the psychological impact of involuntary job loss, career development issues, the motivational basis for participation in adult education and training programs, and the logistical factors concerning the reemployment and retraining of displaced workers. Some of the factors favorable toward dislocated workers' participation in retraining include the following: (1) ability to work through psychological stages of job loss; (2) higher self-esteem; (3) encouragement from family and counselors; (4) a future orientation; (5) having an understanding of the reason for job loss; (6) having a high internal motivation for career change; (7) being in the "late establishment" stage of career development; (8) having career aspirations; (9) awareness of the process of career planning; (10) having a high value placed on education by family of origin; (11) success in previous educational activities; (12) participation in previous adult education; (13) additional sources of family income; (14) having lower-level skills; (15) having information about training sources; and (16) being a younger and less educated worker. Thirty-three references are included. (KC)