Six demonstration projects were conducted in England to identify and help meet the basic communication needs of individuals who embarked on work-related skills training. Unemployed adults were divided into two strands. Strand A concentrated on those adults who without significant help with basic communication skills would be unable to reach the threshold of training or employment. Strand B concentrated on those who were already taking part in courses of work preparation but who still needed some help with basic communication skills to make progress. The projects showed that not only do many unemployed adults have difficulties with basic skills, but that it is difficult to separate them arbitrarily into two discrete groups. Strand A projects were particularly successful in improving attainment levels in basic skills among those with real problems and improving their chances of gaining employment. The assumption in Strand B that basic communication skills needs existed within groups attending work preparation courses was confirmed. Assessing needs in a vocational context was both effective and acceptable to trainees. Strand A courses were particularly innovative in developing new curriculum and materials to help trainees develop their basic skills in a work-related context. Both Strand A and B projects demonstrated new and practical ways of assessing literacy and numeracy needs. (YLB)