A workplace literacy project for the manufacturing industry in Chicago and Cook County, Illinois, developed this competency-based curriculum guide for basic skills instruction. The introduction outlines manufacturing trends that make certain basic skills critical for workers. The project's six-part model is outlined: initial contact, needs assessment/analysis, planning, designing the curriculum, implementing, and evaluating. The curriculum content section lists core competencies and core skills in the areas of reading, writing, math, and oral communication (English as a Second Language). Guidance in using the core curriculum is provided, with information and forms for conducting a job task/basic skills analysis, steps in writing a customized curriculum, and sample syllabi. The next two sections explain how to design basic skills lesson plans and customized tests. Ten references conclude the guide. (NLA)