Addresses the literacy problem on American labor pool training, and suggests ways to combat the problem. These include: evaluating written/spoken materials for literacy levels, screening prospective employees through reading comprehension tests, and expanding the role of experimental learning (both simulation and reality training). (Author/JEG)

This paper describes the U.S. experience in providing vocational training to the low-literate. Chapter I presents an overview of the problem. It discusses the changing nature of work, the workplace, the worker, and vocational training itself. Chapter II describes the U.S. experience in the training of low-literates. The approaches, methods, and…

Six demonstration projects were conducted in England to identify and help meet the basic communication needs of individuals who embarked on work-related skills training. Unemployed adults were divided into two strands. Strand A concentrated on those adults who without significant help with basic communication skills would be unable to reach the…

A study was conducted to analyze the impact of employee illiteracy on Canadian businesses. The opinions of 626 vice presidents of human resources or general managers were collected in a random sample of 2,000 Canadian establishments with more than 50 employees and 300 head offices of larger firms (25 percent return). The information was…

Focusing on the past decade's research, this literature review concentrates on what is known about literacy demands in the workplace and the abilities of various segments of the adult and adolescent population to meet them. The review argues that since a majority of adult reading is performed upon workplace related material, understanding the…

Illiteracy is a serious problem for older people, particularly for older minorities. Of the 23 million adults in the United States classified as functionally illiterate, 44 percent are over 50, and those 60 and over account for about one-third of the totally illiterate population. Being illiterate to whatever degree diminishes the employment…

A review of current research on workplace literacy programs reveals few programs reporting rigorous evaluations. Assessments are often limited to the completion of questionnaires, surveys of program participants, and anecdotal reports of effectiveness. Occasionally, a standardized reading test provides an indication of learner gains. Only a few…

This report contains the proceedings from a conference on the problems of low literacy among single mothers. The seminar involved practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and funders. The report includes an executive summary, six papers grouped according to three topic areas, a seminar agenda, a list of participants, and a 57-item bibliography.…

Part I of this report describes projects in progress in nine countries: Bangladesh (Mass Education through Small Local Organizations), China (Multi-purpose Adult Education Schools and Resource Centres), Ethiopia (Literacy and Post-Literacy Programme), Jamaica (Jamaican Movement for the Advancement of Literacy), Nepal (Training for Vocational…

This technical assistance guide suggests strategies for achieving success in all aspects of follow-up of literacy/employment training program participants. A brief section is devoted to the importance of setting standards for follow-up. The manual then discusses implementation strategies for each of the three aspects of follow-up: tracking for…

The California Human Development Corporation's Rural Workplace Literacy Project (RWLP) provided migrant and seasonal farmworkers with on-site workplace literacy training designed to enhance their ability to develop job skills. During 1990-91, it provided literacy classes at 15 agricultural worksites and enrolled 282 farmworkers. Of students…

This technical assistance guide contains information on adult learners and how they differ from learners who are children and the related program implications. The first section describes characteristics of adults that affect the attitudes adults bring to the classroom situation. These include bringing life experiences; having self-concept as a…

The Career Skills Enhancement Program (CSEP) was a National Workplace Literacy Program offered to Santa Clara County (California) Office of Education (COE) employees. A job skills study involved personal interviews, job shadowing, and examination of job descriptions and materials used by employees. Based on the study and initial needs assessment,…

Most industrialized nations of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have entered a new economic era characterized by new industries, new forms of production and competition, and a much higher premium on skills. Those with low levels of literacy and basic workplace skills find it increasingly difficult to obtain or…

Literacy for participation in the economy has been promoted through legislation providing for adult education upgrading programs in the United States and Canada. More recently, publications and organizations have expressed concern for lack of participation in the economy by many adults who lack the necessary literacy skills. Although few doubt the…