Recent evidence has pointed to a growing skills challenge, including literacy and workplace basic skills, that U.S. firms must meet in order to compete in the knowledge economy. In response, companies can use work-based learning programs to reduce mistakes, improve quality and service, improve health and safety, create a learning culture, and, ultimately, improve productivity and profitability.

For employees, work-based learning programs can provide them with the skills – whether basic literacy or numeracy skills, or employability skills, or technical skills – to improve job performance. Other benefits include: increased confidence and ability to grow into new roles and tasks; better ability to adjust to new processes and technologies; lower job-related stress and anxiety; and greater job satisfaction.

The Conference Board created Work-BasedLearning.org, with financial support from the U.S. Department of Education, to help U.S. companies, and adult educators and trainers serving them, to better understand how to tie work-based learning programs to direct and measurable business goals.