A workplace literacy project had two goals: (1) to improve the productivity and efficiency of the manufacturing industry in Chicago and Cook County, Illinois, by providing workplace literacy instruction to workers who lack the basic skills required for their jobs; and (2) to improve educational programs to meet manufacturing industry needs by developing a curriculum resource guide. Seven original objectives were met (and sometimes exceeded): (1) literacy audits and needs assessments were conducted for eight original manufacturing companies and five additional companies; (2) assessment instruments were developed/selected; (3) competencies and basic skills were identified and customized curricula were developed; (4) 21 instructors were trained; (5) 1,302 workers were pretested and trained; (6) 86 modules were scheduled and instruction provided to 661 participants; and (7) participants' learning was measured. A final evaluation collected data through interviews, class observations, and questionnaires, concluding that companies were generally satisfied with the program and both workers and management liked the customized curriculum materials. Positive outcomes included increased productivity, attendance, and self-esteem. (Five charts are included: course statistics; list of competency-based courses--mastery required; cumulative data, competency-based courses; number of preassessments by quarter; and new courses opened by quarter. A final project evaluation and two appendices--site contact questionnaire and instructor questionnaire--are also provided.) (NLA)