Seven job-related basic skills identified as skills employers want are as follows: (1) learning to learn; (2) reading, writing, and computation; (3) oral communication and listening; (4) creative thinking and problem solving; (5) personal management, including self-esteem, goal setting, motivation, and personal and career development; (6) group effectiveness, including interpersonal skills, negotiation, and teamwork; and (7) organizational effectiveness and leadership. The importance of workplace literacy has been underscored by the link between basic skills and productivity. The importance of "functional context" to basic skills training for adults is illustrated by programs for extreme low-level literate persons who need long-term intensive adult literacy programs, programs for improving the effectiveness of training through basic skills improvement, and simulation programs that illustrate the effects of on-the-job mistakes without jeopardizing the employee or the work process. The steps for developing programs to improve job-related basic skills are as follows: identify the problem; prepare an action plan; design, develop, and implement curriculum; and evaluate and monitor the program. Workplace literacy programs can improve worker self-esteem and job performance, company productivity, and the nation's competitiveness. (13 references) (CML)