The skills of the workforce are an important contributor to the economic vitality of any region, leading economic developers to consider how to connect their efforts to workforce development and help to build the skills of adults generally. This report, produced for the U.S. Department of Labor's Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) initiative, presents the key components--or building blocks--of effective adult learning and skill development programs. The building blocks have been identified from existing research on this topic, the experience and networks of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), as well as documented best practices of practitioners nationwide. The report is intended to be a resource for Workforce Investment Boards, employers, workforce development organizations, or traditional education and training providers who are planning to develop learning initiatives that are linked to the economic needs of a region. The components of and innovations in exemplary adult learning programs outlined in this report have been highlighted in three different kinds of source material. Some of the components draw on several decades of work in the adult learning field, epitomized by the work of academic researchers like Malcolm Knowles (the "father of adult learning"). Other components have been drawn from research on community college programs and a growing body of literature on training low-skilled workers that is produced by academics, non-profit organizations, philanthropic foundations, the public sector and professional evaluators. Finally, the report includes components drawn from the findings of the corporate training field. A bibliography is also included. (Contains 3 figures, 1 table, and 3 footnotes.) [This report was prepared for the U.S. Department of Labor WIRED Initiative.]