A basic skills needs assessment developed a picture of the basic skills levels and needs of the construction industry in British Columbia and the Yukon. The three parts of the assessment were interviews with business managers and managers of other programs provided through joint labor/management initiatives, a questionnaire administered to training plan coordinators or their designates in the member unions, and selected focus groups. Responses to interviews and questionnaires indicated that, although each trade was task specific, many shared processes and functions. A positive correlation was found between numbers of members and instructors. Workers in many trades, especially laborers, had the opportunity to move between and among various jobs in the trade; workers in other trades tended to concentrate in one skill area. Unions were heavily involved in trades training; all but one offered health and safety training. Technological change was revolutionizing every part of the construction industry. A need was expressed for courses dealing with effective oral communications; how to use forms, graphs, and charts; and critical thinking and problem solving. Recommendations were made regarding courses, research, and advisory and other services. (Appendixes to the first part of the report include construction industry support structure and the needs assessment questionnaire. The second part of the report provides worker comments, the management perspective, use of computer-assisted learning, and recommendations based on these additional materials.) (YLB)