Recognition and support for learning

Rhonda has championed essential skills education from the management level by advocating for ongoing funding and recognizing the achievements of learners. "Annually, we celebrate this group of learners. The celebration is consistently a huge success and visibly demonstrates the City's and union's support for this type of learning." Rhonda also enabled employees to have all of their essential skills courses registered and tracked in the City's Enterprise Learning System, PeopleSoft. "We never recorded any of the essential skills learning until this past year (2007). People are now given recognition and documentation that they took essential skills courses. It validates their learning and demonstrates its importance."

Workers themselves know how important this program has been to them. Rhonda says "people are more confident. They understand how they can achieve and how they can contribute." From passing a certification test to reading to a grandchild-essential skills programs have helped people change how they work and live. "There are many stories of individuals who are so proud of their learning and feel good about what they've done." At the corporate level, essential skills programs have helped to support employees' upgrading as more and more duties require licensing and certification to meet technology and accountability demands.

Advice from "the pro"

Work with your union - While Rhonda has been a strong leader and advocate for learning in her management position, being the Fund's co-chair gave her the chance to work closely with CUPE Local 500's co-chair. "Working with the union has been a learning experience for us. Kathy Todd, the first CUPE coordinator for the Essential Skill's program, made a huge contribution with her work. She's a real champion for workplace literacy."

Understand your employees' literacy levels - "Find a tool for your committee to use so that people can tell you what they need and want," says Rhonda. What types of literacy issues are they concerned about? What do they want to learn? Use the answers to these questions to find ways to support people and make a difference in their lives.

Generate interest in learning - When a City councillor asked Rhonda why the City should fund courses that were not work-related, she replied: "There's a benefit in getting people interested in learning. That interest spreads." Writing your life story can be the first step to passing a certification exam for your job.