OLC and Learning for Work | Literature and Resources
Partners in Learning for Work
It is virtually impossible to separate literacy and work. People learn at work and they also learn for work. People seek training in order to find, keep, upgrade and change jobs.
Linking people, learning and work:
- The majority of adults needing to upgrade their literacy skills are already in the workplace. Of adults who scored at the absolute lowest level of literacy, 62% were employed.
- Ontario’s business sector will lose their competitive edge without well-trained workers.
- Without the basic skills necessary to meet the increasing demands of complex workplaces and Ontario’s changing economy, workers will struggle.
Terminology within the concept of Learning for Work varies - workplace literacy, workforce literacy, labour market literacy, foundational skills, basic skills, essential skills – but the goal is consistent: Improving the skills of workers and potential workers to increase employment, productivity and global competitiveness.
OLC and Learning for Work
The Ontario Literacy Coalition has developed a Learning for Work Strategy that seeks to:
The Ontario Literacy Coalition has developed a Learning for Work Strategy that seeks to:
- Gather data and intelligence from the business sector about what skills are required for work in 21st Century Ontario.
- Facilitate partnership development between business, labour, government and literacy agencies to ensure policy and programming responds to the perspectives of business and labour (end users) and the programming needs of literacy agencies.
- Promote the professional development of Learning for Work literacy practitioners.
- Advise the public sector on Learning for Work policy and program development to contribute to the employability of Ontarians.
Our Learning for Work Strategy is delivered through a partnership approach between business, labour, government and literacy groups and involves developing learning opportunities and initiatives to promote the needs of workers - and potential workers. These developments address the concerns of business and governments with respect to important issues like productivity, economic development and social responsibility.
A brief history of our involvement
Since 1994, the OLC has played a key leadership role in bringing together literacy organizations, employers and unions to address literacy issues in the workplace and learning for the workforce.
Since 2004, the Ontario Literacy Coalition (OLC) has led a partnership of employers, unions, literacy organizations as well as adult education and training partners to promote Learning for Work.
Since 2008, the OLC and its partners have been working with the provincial government to reintroduce workplace literacy in Ontario.
Our activities and initiatives in the Learning for Work Strategy include:
Advising Public Policy
Business Sector Relations
Essential Skills Bulletin Series
Provincial Advisory Committee on Workplace and Workforce Literacy
Literature and Resources
The literature on workplace literacy is significant. It identifies an important role for government through a range of policy instruments and a need for partnership models that involve all stakeholders – business, labour, government and literacy.
The literature on workplace literacy is significant. It identifies an important role for government through a range of policy instruments and a need for partnership models that involve all stakeholders – business, labour, government and literacy. Research recognizes the complexity of the Learning for Work challenge and highlights the need for specialized provider training and professional development to assure quality service. Finally, Learning for Work literature notes the difficulties of measuring the outcomes and impacts of these programs.
Literature from Ontario Literacy Coalition
Strategic Partnerships for Action: A Focus on Workplace and Workforce Literacy in Ontario. 2008.
This report provides a summary and analysis of the Ontario Literacy Coalition’s facilitation of partnerships between employers, union, the literacy community, government and other community partners to develop a common plan for provincial action on Workplace and Workforce Literacy.
Workplace Literacy: National and International Perspectives on Research and Practice. 2003.
This publication features 24 articles on three areas of workplace literacy: the status of workplace literacy in Canada, the UK and the USA; research studies and methods; and innovative programs and materials.
Good Practice in Use. 2002.
This report provides an overview of the literature on good practice in workplace education to date. It also examines some of the dilemmas an educator is faced with when working with principles of good practice on the ground. A section on how to develop your own good practice guidelines is included.
To order these publications, contact olc@on.literacy.ca.
View all OLC publications.
BIBLIOGRAPHIES
Folinsbee, Sue; Judy Hunter, and In-Sites Research Group. Annotated Bibliography for Workplace Literacies. Toronto: In-Sites Research Group, 2002. http://www.nald.ca/insites/annbibl/annobibl.pdf
Roberts, Paul and Rebecca Gowan. “Workplace Literacy. Canadian Literature Review and Bibliography.” Working Paper. Canadian Council on Social Development, 2007. http://www.ccsd.ca/pubs/2007/literacy/Canadian_Literacy_Literature_Review.pdf
Salomon Maria. “Workplace Literacy & Essential Skills - What Works? and Why? Literature Review.” The Centre for Literacy, 2009. http://www.centreforliteracy.qc.ca/inst/sli2009/wles/cover.htm
Resources
Literacy Impacts Work
Produced by the Ontario Literacy Coalition. A factsheet outlining the need for and potential of a Learning for Work Strategy between business, labour, government and literacy partners.
Essentials Skills Bulletins Series
Produced by the Ontario Literacy Coalition. The Essential Skills Bulletin series provides literacy practitioners with current information on essential skills and offers practical activities that can be used in the classroom to help students develop the skills needed for work, learning and life.
Business Results through Essential Skills and Literacy
2009. Produced by Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, this publication provides individuals and organizations with contextual and practical information to meet the challenges of their industry/sector.
Literacy and Essential Skills Toolkit
Produced by the HRSDC. The Literacy and Essential Skills Toolkit helps support skills upgrading at work and in everyday life. The tools are categorized under three areas: Assessment, Learning, and Training Supports.
Workplace Literacy
Produced in partnership between The Workforce Development Board and Literacy Ontario Central South. A website outlining how, “a strong commitment to literacy in the workplace is the path to excellence and key to your bottom line.”
Summer Institute 2009: Workplace and Essential Skills
Conference hosted by The Centre for Literacy of Quebec June 25-27, 2009 to examine Workplace Literacy and Essential Skills - What Works? and Why?
Literacy in the Workplace
2008. Produced by Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). A series of five fact sheets on workplace literacy programs covering literacy is a right; proven advantages for workers, employers, governments; labour’s vision for government support; best practices and measuring success.
Workplace Literacy Central
Produced by Conference Board of Canada. Workplace Literacy Central is a free resource with information, tools and advice for Canadian organizations and employers who want to raise literacy and basic skill levels in the workplace.
Making It Work
2005. Produced by the Ontario Literacy Coalition. A series of five bulletins for Literacy and Basic Skills Programs in Ontario to help support learners with employment goals. Each series includes a bulletin for practitioners and a bulletin for learners.
Partners in Learning for Work
As a partnership development organization, the Ontario Literacy Coalition recognizes the importance of collaboration in every aspect of our work. The OLC considers the following organizations as our partners in the Learning for Work strategy:
