Derek, I live in chronically, economically depressed Oregon-USA, and I can tell you that, to the best of my knowledge these are all scams. I can't think of a legitimate business that would request money from you for the right to work for them.
One reason they might give is that you are buying 'assembly materials' from them but what is the guarantee that you will actually get them, or that you wont be stuck with them when they provide no marketing or just disappear with your money?
If you are money strapped and looking for work, consider that your working expenses should be transportation and appropriate clothing. When a desperate, job seeking person is asked to pay money for a job, think "Scam". Don't let scamsters make money on your desperation.
