This publication is designed to inform policy development and enable providers to develop good practice in working with microbusinesses. It encourages partnerships between learning providers and microbusinesses by providing a rationale to motivate the instigation of the partnership (Chapter 1); promoting awareness of the different types of partnership (Chapter 2); and examining strategic policy-making and relevant good practice, for each of 10 topic areas (Chapters 3-12). These 10 topic areas are investing in microbusinesses; gathering the views of microbusinesses; optimizing local provision for employers; developing learning solutions to improve business; involving trade unions; stimulating demand for learning; forging new partnerships with microbusinesses; delivering effective services; what to offer and how to measure its effectiveness; and new products for microbusinesses. Each chapter concludes with a list of action points that are summarized in Chapter 13. Appendixes include official statistics for the United Kingdom's firms; a description of UPBEAT project, Barnet College; information on surveying firms (reviewing what could have helped and linking lifelong learning to better regulation); and contact addresses. (Contains 25 references.) (YLB)