The impacts of a culture of learning

Along with formal learning, the committee has found that informal and entertaining learning generates a lot of interest among staff and in the community. It has worked with other groups to sponsor the Municipal Olympic Games, two successful Christmas card contests for children of the City of Grande Prairie and Aquatera Utilities Inc. employees, and partnerships that offer Learn at Lunch programs. All these efforts have advanced learning and literacy and have raised awareness about lifelong learning. "We're creating a culture of learning," says Josy, and "people are now asking for training and taking courses that are not requirements for their job but because they have interest in them and want to continue learning."

Dave also sees a significant impact of the program on individuals. "It's made personal development and the personal performance plan much more valuable. People know they can accomplish their goals through education. Just about every job has a tech change aspect to it now. A few small projects helped people see the connection between personal development and their jobs." Others have successfully changed their career paths.

A learning culture also impacts the municipality as whole, especially in its succession planning. Dave says workplace learning has helped Grande Prairie "develop its own resources from within. People are making a commitment of time and significant personal sacrifice to get the education they want. People see learning as valued now." And, Josy adds, "the most direct benefit is that people are not afraid to learn." "There's that direct link between the economy and workforce learning. As technology changes, we have to keep up with it."

According to Dave, "the ideal state will be when the dollars don't meet the demands, and we're getting close to that." Grande Prairie budgets "2.25 per cent of salaries for learning, in excess of $1,000 a person per year." In 2008, $78,000 is set aside for learning and development.

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Dave and Josy both know how important the support of senior management is for successful programming. Likewise, union support is essential. Grande Prairie first set up its joint committee with CUPE Local 787. A year later, the firefighters' union (GPFFA Local 2770) joined in. As the committee asked different employee groups to sit on the committee, they agreed. For Josy, "it's important to include our promoters in decision making," to strengthen the committee.