Workplace basics are those basic skills that enable adult employees and prospective employees to learn and perform tasks on the job and in the training environment, thus increasing the likelihood of their being hired, advancing on the job, and participating in more advanced training opportunities. This manual provides a holistic, global definition of workplace basics and gives program directors, teachers, tutors and others a "fast start" on workplace basics' applied learning. The manual contains four chapters. Chapter 1 is an overview of the new workplace basics. Chapter 2 provides information on starting, planning, and developing a proposal for a workplace basics program. Chapter 3 examines job skills assessment, explaining job audits, standardized and criterion-referenced tests, and other forms of needs assessment. Chapter 4 provides an instructional design for workplace basics, including a learner-centered curriculum model and suggestions for developing customized materials, scheduling information, and planning for ongoing evaluation. A bibliography lists 11 references. (KC)