During the first half of the 1980s, the focus of the literacy movement was on strengthening literacy programs through the recruitment of volunteers. Although these early efforts are continuing, the focus in adult literacy has changed. Job-related or workplace literacy has become a national priority, and the impact of adult illiteracy on private industry is becoming increasingly visible. Demographic factors and changes in jobs are also creating a need for workplace literacy programs. Workplace literacy and general literacy differ in purpose. A number of recent studies have examined the literacy skills that individuals need in order to succeed in the workplace. These studies have resulted in the publication of a number of lists of work-related reading, writing, speaking, listening, mathematics, scientific, and reasoning skills. Industry-based literacy approaches can be divided into two groups: (1) pre-1980, viewed primarily as traditional benefits for the employee, and (2) post-1980, viewed primarily as instruments for achieving the company's advanced technology goals. Unlike traditional literacy programs, which were generally initiated in an era of company prosperity and security, the new literacy skills programs were initiated in an era of foreign competition and rapid technological change in response to the realization that many employees lacked the basic skills with which to acquire more technical skills. Most industry-based literacy training occurs on the company site, partly for the sake of employee convenience and partly because many employees find schoolroom environments inhibiting. Several guides to developing workplace literacy programs have been published, and four of these are briefly described. A list of 12 references is also provided. (MN)