Examines contemporary "technocratic" and "progressive" approaches to literacy. Discusses "functional literacy" in relation to the classical model of "high literacy." Suggests research be guided by considerations of contextual factors influencing acquisition and use of literate abilities and organized in…

A pilot project developed a survey of social indicators of literacy within the Northwest region of Ontario, Canada. The project aimed to identify the following: social, economic, and cultural characteristics of the region; ways that local service providers were responding to them; and successes, gaps, and unmet challenges in literacy provision. Of…

A project assessed perceptions of manufacturing employers regarding the workplace literacy skills of occupational groups in their industry in Manitoba. A mailed survey was sent to 125 members of the Canadian Manufacturers' Association; 41 completed it. The first part of the survey obtained information about the occupations in manufacturing and…

Manitoba, Canada, workplace stakeholder groups were interviewed to determine the issues they faced and their awareness of, and ability to deal with, workplace basic skills issues. Interviews collected the opinions of 78 employer representatives, 121 employees, and 5 union representatives in the 6 emerging economic sectors of health care products,…

The National Survey of Literacy Skills Used in Daily Activities assessed the functional literacy skills of Canadians aged 16-69. It used a series of commonplace tasks of varying difficulty supplemented by a self-assessment of the literacy skills and needs of Canadians to provide a detailed literacy profile of the adult population in Canada. A…

A survey of Local 343-United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America and the Manitoba Construction Labour Relations Association, Manitoba, determined the critical, essential, and important workplace skills of carpenters. A survey instrument was developed and mailed to 438 active members of Local 343; 110 surveys were completed and…

This report describes a meeting of Canadian partners who had experience in workplace literacy and represented different sectors that was convened to develop two lists of priorities for possible projects--those of interest to all sectors and of interest to each sector. Participants identified six clusters of priorities across Canada:…

This guide, which is intended for individuals responsible for designing and/or delivering workplace basic skills programs, explains the principles and procedures of curriculum development in the workplace. Discussed in chapter 1 is the importance of focusing on basic skills in workplace education and examining existing practices. Chapter 2…

A project examined the skills gap within the mining industry, identified and prioritized skills common to all jobs and occupations, and provided insight into skills that workers are likely to need in the future. The research for the basic skills needs assessment was conducted from June-October 1993 at INCO's Manitoba Division Operations in…

To address specific workplace literacy needs within the steel fabrication sector in Manitoba, an organizational needs assessment was conducted training manuals were developed using literacy task analysis techniques. The organizational needs assessment assessed the general and workplace literacy tasks and demands of hourly workers at Dominion…

A project explored and addressed the communication barriers to union participation of stewards and members of the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union (ACTWU). A questionnaire was developed and distributed to over 300 ACTWU members; 153 responded. Other commitments and communication skills were identified as key barriers to greater…

This document consists of four papers presented during a symposium on work force issues moderated by Jan DeJong at the 1996 conference of the Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD). "Rethinking the Ties that Bind: An Exploratory Study of Employee Development in Utilities in Canada and the United States" (Michael Aherne, David…

A project of Local 343 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America and the Construction Labour Relations Association (CLRA) of Manitoba documented the workplace literacy skills needed by union carpenters on job sites in Manitoba. The following techniques were used: mailed questionnaires to the carpenter members of Local 343 and…

Workplace literacy programs are employer- and/or union-sponsored basic skills upgrading programs for workers and their families. Community-based literacy programs can support workplace programs. Several factors should be considered in Northern Ontario workplace literacy programs: (1) technological change; (2) aging population; (3) outmigration of…

An independent, external evaluation of the compensatory component of the Educational Opportunities Fund of Alberta, Canada covered the period from July 1973 to June 1976 and focused on twenty-one northern Alberta school districts. Results revealed that pupil mastery of basic skills has improved and pupil selfconfidence has increased since the…