This publication is part of the study materials for the distance education course, Language and Literacies: Contexts and Challenges in the Workplace, in the Open Campus Program at Deakin University. The document traces the historical development of Australia's Workplace Basic Education Project (WBEP) model for taking literacy provision into the workplace, examines selected integral aspects of the model, and considers selected issues in developing and delivering workplace literacy programs. The introduction provides an overview of key moments in the WBEP's development since its establishment in 1984. Among the topics discussed in the five sections are the following: origins of the WBEP (developments in the adult literacy field, the political and industrial context, and other programs); challenges encountered during development of the WBEP (advisory committees, field work, identification of target audiences, and project goals); the WBEP delivery model (needs surveys; the planning group; program evaluation; and provision related issues such as voluntary participation, open access, confidentiality, negotiated work time, and assessment and formal testing); curriculum (curriculum development, a writing class in action, and literacy in the workplace); and taking stock (participation rates among women; reading, writing, and mathematics in workplace training; the growth of training expertise; and program strengths). Appended is an excerpt from "Principles of Workplace Basic Education." Contains a 25-item reference list and a 20-item bibliography. (MN)