A study investigated provision of workplace literacy courses available for women in female-dominated industries and women's access to and participation in those courses. A literature review revealed very little research on the required increased literacy skills in Australia and no previous studies on women's access to workplace literacy courses in Western Australia. Structured interviews were conducted with representatives of industries that typically employed predominantly women--union representatives, course providers, adult literacy educators, and industry management or human resources personnel. Fifteen women in the selected industries who did not participate in literacy programs were interviewed. Data were collected from hospitals, nursing homes, hotels, food industry, china manufacturers, and textile industry. Results indicated that far fewer literacy programs were available in workplaces with large numbers of women than in male-dominated workplaces. Women were very often eager to attend literacy courses provided that they were in the company's time and did not interfere with family commitments. The dropout rate was very low. Factors that contributed to women's failure to access available literacy classes were as follows: a feeling they were too old, problems with time and day of course, time management, suspicion of management, peer pressure, cultural traditions, belief they did not need the course, and lack of interest. Recommendations related to motivation and access were made. (34 references) (YLB)