Almost 180 (22.5 percent) of BP Chemicals/HITCO, Inc. (BPCHI) employees have participated in the basic skills courses offered through the Competitive Skills Project (CSP) at El Camino College (Torrance, California). Workplace basics provide a solid foundation for Total Quality Management (TQM), enabling workers to be globally competitive. Two main groups were targeted for training: shop floor, maintenance, inspection, and technical service workers; and higher skill classification workers. Curriculum design was based on a workplace needs assessment. Assessment analysis identified three basic skills/literacy deficiencies: language, numerical, and basic computer. To address the need, three core courses were developed: communication/English skills for quality; TQM for limited English proficient workers; and English as a Second Language for TQM. In addition, a math skills course was developed. The project consisted of six cycles of courses, an onsite computer lab, and a volunteer tutoring program. Workshops were held to train tutors and supervisors and to improve the computer literacy and report writing skills of participants. The following conclusions about the CSP were reached: (1) consistency of project staff and business partners is critical to effectiveness; (2) line supervisors were a significant barrier to worker participation; and (3) formulation of customized curricula is an ongoing process requiring continual modification. (The bulk of this document contains four appendices: final report of the HITCO Basic Skills Audit; ESL for TQM curriculum; schedule of courses offered; and BPCHI Mission Statement.) (NLA)