There is help available. A variety of organizations are skilled in developing, customizing, and delivering basic workplace skills programs. The better the quality of a basic workplace skills program, the greater its benefits. Basic workplace skills programs are not expensive. For many small and mid-sized companies, there is little expense beyond the time involved in planning the program and releasing employees from work to participate in classes.
Some states offer tax credits for basic workplace skills programs.
Many community colleges charge only the delivery costs associated with their basic skills programs, effectively underwriting all of the development costs. Some unions will share the costs of basic skills programs with employers. Some volunteer basic skills programs will charge companies only for the design and oversight associated with a basic workplace skills program, and use their volunteers for delivery. Current partners on the project include the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, the Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy at The Pennsylvania State University, the Maryland Center for Quality and Productivity, and the National Labor-Management Association.