AbstractAcross the United States, public and private sector companies are faced with a workforce severely lacking in basic workplace skills: more than 40% of the US workforce and more than 50% of high school graduates lack the basic skills to do their jobs. What makes these statistics even more disturbing is that employee skills are becoming increasingly important in the face of globalization, technological change, trade liberalization, deregulation and other external pressures on organizations today. For many organizations, one solution to the problem of an extremely unprepared workforce is to use on-the-job training programs. These programs are used to develop employees who are proving instrumental in turning skills into profit. (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 goal of this article is to explain why recovery skills training programs are important in today's work environment.3. The third objective of this article is to explain why organizations need performance management and coaching/mentoring systems. Scheme I. 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 security......half of the paper......action if handled correctly. ReferencesBloom, Michael R. and Lefleur, Brenda. Turning skills into profit: Economic benefits of on-the-job training programs. Retrieved August 29, 2006, from http://www.workplacebasicskills.com/frame/pdfs/Skills_Profits.pdfHeathfield, 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