The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the U.S. Congress have improved the quality, effectiveness, and integrity of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). A basic skills improvement program funded by the DOL was implemented in two Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, worksites. Several implications for managing the changes within JTPA related specifically to basic skills and program content. Four findings emerged from the project: (1) training curriculum designed around the context of the employee's job reinforced the transfer of learned skills to the job (functional context learning); (2) essential skills in both worksites included reading, writing, math, communication, and problem solving; (3) the American Society for Training and Development's "Workplace Basics" became a comprehensive employee development system including training and nontraining solutions--successful skills development required that organizational materials, job training, policies/procedures, and workflow information be developed; and (4) the relationship between needs, performance, skills, and results is not clearly understood in the workplace--attempts to provide evidence of how training influences an organization require accurate assessment and understanding of the relationship. JTPA must ensure that its structure, attitude, and policies enhance the long-term employability of its clients. (15 references) (NLA)