This guide is for employers to use in planning future human resources strategies. Part 1 focuses on three practical strategies germane to most labor and skill shortage problems. The first chapter reviews challenges employers face. Chapter 2 presents two basic strategies for strengthening entry-level recruitment and staffing: strengthening the basics and broadening the recruitment net. An appendix presents issues involved in developing workplace testing programs. Chapter 3 reviews major issues in the design and implementation of basic skills programs. The fourth chapter discusses the importance of dependent care benefits, employers' responses, planning a dependent care benefit, and alternative program models. Part 2 contains case studies of five organizations that developed successful programs and policies in response to labor force changes: the Alliance for Employee Growth and Development, a joint human resources development venture; Highland Park Day Care Center, a consortium-based model for providing on-site child care services; Superior Technical Ceramics, which implemented an in-house basic skills program; Lancaster Labs, Inc., which built its own on-site day care facility; and Motorola Inc., which implemented basic skills programs. The case studies present a detailed account of the experience of each organization and outline key lessons and issues that emerged in program implementation. (YLB)