This report presents a review of studies and articles on employer-sponsored training in Canada. The authors reviewed documentation that used data from the Workplace and Employee Survey (WES) and offer a synthesis of the current state of knowledge. The report looks alternately at issues pertaining to determinants of training from the employer and…

Findings of a three-year co-worker literacy tutoring program in Canada include the following: (1) management and unions must be informed of program intent and purpose; (2) nonreaders' fear of exposure is a major barrier to participation; and (3) workplace literacy coordinators for each industry are essential. (SK)

Describes a workplace literacy project in Canada that trains "literate" workers to tutor their "illiterate" co-workers. Employers were beginning to realize that literacy training could increase production and decrease industrial accidents. Attitudes of employees toward the program are correlated to the attitude and interest of…

A Canadian study explored the economic benefits of improving literacy skills in the workplace from the perspective of both employers and employees. The Conference Board identified and measured these benefits by conducting a survey of 40 employers, as well as by analyzing data gathered in the International Adult Literacy Survey. The study found…

Readings and exercises for use with a course for Canadian workers on racism and the workplace are included in this book. The materials are organized to reflect the themes of the ten sessions of the course: (1) racism hurts workers; (2) analysing racial situations in the workplace; (3) the employer connection to racism in the workplace; (4)…

This book provides the outline of a course designed to involve Canadian workers in talking openly and seriously about racism in the workplace. An introduction briefly describes the background, underlying assumptions, and purpose of the course. Following this are ten sections containing information for use at ten different training sessions. In…

This publication, in English and French, reports on the work-family conflict in Canada, gauges progress over the past decade, and examines how views have changed. The following articles are featured: (1) "Caution: Families at Work" (Ish Theilheimer), an examination of current workplace innovations, viewpoints of employers and employees,…

A study was conducted to determine the impact technology would have on the developing scenario of a competitive market for the training and retraining of both the unemployed and employed. The objective was to identify the perceptions of employees concerning technology and the effectiveness and efficiency of office technology training. The study…

This paper, translated from French, is a transcript of a roundtable discussion on workplace literacy programs in Canada (especially in Quebec). During the roundtable, the panelists discussed various workplace literacy programs being conducted in their companies through joint partnerships of employers and unions, sometimes with government financial…

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,…

This first volume of a two-volume report presents findings of a task force on the importance of skill development leave as a mechanism for retraining, upgrading, and updating workers in a dynamic Canadian society. The report is designed as a tool for consultation. Volume I contains two parts. Part I, the background section, describes the current…

A study explored the ways that front-line community development workers across Canada gained information needed to work with women participants in community economic development initiatives. Data were gathered through focus groups, a preliminary study with 15 key informants employed in community development organizations, and structured telephone…

A study analyzed the schooling, further adult course participation, and informal learning of organized and unorganized workers in different occupational classes across Canada. Data were obtained from the first Canadian national survey of 1,562 adults' informal learning practices, conducted in 1998, and field notes and interview transcripts drawn…

A basic skills needs assessment developed a picture of the basic skills levels and needs of the construction industry in British Columbia and the Yukon. The three parts of the assessment were interviews with business managers and managers of other programs provided through joint labor/management initiatives, a questionnaire administered to…

The Communications, Energy, and Paperworkers Union of Canada assessed literacy learning needs. In focus group discussions, members were asked their perception of such needs in the face of changes in the workplace and society; local union officers (LUOs) were asked how they saw the role of unions in supporting members' literacy learning; employers…