A 2-year project examined the effectiveness of courses for returning workers in enabling women to make a sustained return to paid employment in the following countries: France; Spain; Ireland; and the United Kingdom. In each country, a short foundation-level program and a longer accredited return-to-work program were selected for evaluation. Although the programs examined differed from one another in terms of structure and content, all included the development of generic skills in the following 10 areas: update; information technology; communication; teamwork; supervision; presentation; knowledge of organization/companies; the language of business; problem solving; and job search. End-of-course questionnaires were distributed to determine the women's views on the courses' effectiveness in helping them develop the generic skills identified as necessary to a successful return to employment. Twenty-nine guidelines for good practice in training were developed, among them the following: (1) involvement of employers in design and delivery; (2) recognition of existing skills and abilities; and (3) fostering awareness of "tacit" knowledge skills. Ten guidelines for good practice for placement provision in companies were developed, among them the following: (1) company has clear objectives for the placement; (2) placement seen as giving value to employers rather than the employer providing a service; and (3) induction and mentor/tutor support. (Contains 21 references.) (MN)