Dr. Patrick J. O'Connor, Kent State University, Associate Professor
Ms. Carole Richards, President and CEO, North coast Educational Services
Mr. Robert P. Meyer, President, Work in Northeast Ohio Council

Author Biographies
Dr. O'Connor is an associate professor of education at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. He has also served on the faculty at the University of Georgia, Indiana University of Pennsylvania and New River Community College. His teaching and research emphasis is on workforce development and adult training/education. Dr. O'Connor can be reached at poconnor@kent.edu. His address is 316 White Hall, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242-0001. His phone is 330-672-2656.

Carole Richards is president and CEO of North Coast Educational Services based in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. She has extensive experience in working with adults in the workplace. Her company has partnered with numerous companies to raise the basic skill level of workers. Ms. Richards can be reached at 440-247-1622 or e-mail at NCES1985@yahoo.com . Her address is 120 N. Main St, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022.

Robert Meyer is president of the Work in Northeast Ohio Council based in Independence, Ohio. WINOC is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of the workforce in Northeast Ohio. WINOC personnel consult with profit and non-profit organizations to improve the capacity of the workforce to grow and develop. Mr. Meyer can be reached at 216-520-0770 or e-mailed at MEYER@WINOC.org The address of WINOC is 6200 Rockside Woods Blvd., Suite 300, Independence, OH 44131-2332.

Abstract
The Work in Northeast Ohio Council partnered with North Coast Educational Services to pilot a basic skills training project to determine the impact the training would have on the employees and the organization. Nine companies in Northeast Ohio participated in the project. The impact was evaluated by employee self-assessments; supervisor assessments; trainer feedback; and monitoring of effectiveness factors such as scrap rates, employee attendance, profit, accident rates, and worker's compensation claims. The primary finding was the training had a positive impact on employees both at work and at home. Also, the organizations were affected positively by the training. Mainly, the employee and organizational capacity to grow, change, and compete were enhanced. The project also provided insight to implementing basic skills training programs that other organizations could follow.