A project was conducted to develop an adult vocational education competency-based program using a research-based instructional systems design and to assess the application of competency-based research products being developed by the Vocational-Technical Education Consortium of States in the development of adult vocational education programs. Specific objectives were (1) design a model for implementing competency-based adult vocational education; (2) develop a plan for training adult vocational instructors in developing and using competency-based instruction; (3) train ten adult vocational instructors to criterion levels of performance in competency-based instruction; (4) implement competency-based instruction in forty adult vocational classes; and (5) complete an evaluation study of the effects of using competency-based instruction in adult education. A three-group experimental design was utilized to test two procedures for implementing performance-based instruction for adults. Research-based PBI (Performance-Based Instructional) materials were utilized in designing the vocational instructional program. Each group conducted vocational education short courses for adults. The achievements and attitudes of the adult learners were analyzed and the attitudes of the instructors were analyzed. The twenty-six vocational instructors and 300 adults who received PBI training indicated a strong attraction to the performance-based concept. (Program materials are appended.) (Author/CT)