Summary Across the United States, private and public sector businesses face the problem of a workforce that is severely lacking in basic job skills: more than 40% of the U.S. workforce and more than 50% of high school graduates lack the basic skills needed to do their jobs. What makes these statistics even more worrying is that employee skills are becoming increasingly important in the face of globalization, technological change, trade liberalization, deregulation and other external pressures on organizations. . For many organizations, one solution to the problem of a clearly underprepared workforce is to use workplace training programs. These programs are used to develop employees who are instrumental in turning their skills into profits. (Bloom and Lafleur)Objectives1. The first objective of this article is to explain in detail the components of an effective orientation program.2. The second objective of this article is to explain why remedial job training programs are important in today's business environment.3. The third objective of this article is to explain why organizations need performance management and coaching/mentoring systems. IntroductionII. The details of an effective employee orientation program.A. An effective employee orientation program has clearly defined objectives. Provide critical information and resources in a timely manner to help make the new employee independently productive as soon as possible. This phase of orientation should include organization-wide information such as:1. The organization's mission, vision, values, goals, and customer service perspective2. Ethics3. Performance improvement policies4. Basic safe... middle of paper ......ation if managed correctly. ReferencesBloom, Michael R. and Lefleur, Brenda. Turning skills into profit: economic benefits of workplace training programs. Retrieved August 29, 2006 from http://www.workplacebasicskills.com/frame/pdfs/Skills_Profits.pdf Heathfield, Susan M. Orientation Vs. Integration. About.com. Retrieved August 26, 2006, from http://humanresources.about.com/od/orientation/a/orientation.htmWorkplace Education Programs. Retrieved August 28, 2006, from http://adulted.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.workplacebasicskills.com%2FWorkplace Basic Skills. Retrieved August 30, 2006, from http://www.workplacebasicskills.com/begin.htmZachary, Lois J. Creating a Culture of Mentoring. About.com. Retrieved August 30, 2006 from http://humanresources.about.com/od/coachingmentoring/a/mentor_culture.htm