Most of the job losses that occurred in New York City after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center occurred in low-wage jobs held by lower-skilled workers. Many of those affected faced multiple obstacles limiting their employment prospects, including limited literacy and English language skills and a lack of "connections" to formal and informal mechanisms through which people typically get connected to jobs. Several programs offered by unions, public agencies, and non-profit organizations in New York City have responded to these learners in two ways--by focusing instruction on the job-related skills and knowledge learners need and by using referrals and other means to link learners to jobs and work-related training opportunities outside the basic skills program. Those interested in equipping low-skilled adults for a changing work environment should take the following actions: (1) be open to new ways of approaching work-related adult basic education; (2) develop the expertise needed to plan and deliver effective work-related education geared to learners' particular needs; and (3) advocate for new funding, better use of existing resources, and appropriate expectations from funders about ways adult education can help learners participate as workers. (Contains 7 web site addresses and 7 references.) (MN)