The principal roles for publicly sponsored retraining programs are twofold: (1) to reduce the private and social costs associated with unnecessary delays in the reemployment process; and (2) to assist in the replacement of specific human capital lost when a permanent layoff takes place. Nine different demonstration projects and operating programs were examined through available research reports to determine how well public retraining programs for displaced workers fulfilled these roles. Programs examined included federally funded projects and programs, state retraining programs in California and Minnesota, Canadian training programs, and Australian training programs. One unambiguous finding was that job search assistance strongly affected a variety of labor market outcomes, including earnings, placement and employment rates, and level of unemployment insurance benefits. Given its cost effectiveness, job search assistance should be the core of any adjustment assistance services offered to displaced workers. There was no clear evidence that either classroom or on-the-job training had a significant net impact on employment or earnings. (Contains 51 references, 29 tables, and an index). (CML)