Coordinating workplace services in a rural area

The Workplace Education Project (WEP) in Peterborough, Ontario, has carved out an unusual space for itself as an independent and neutral coordinator of academic services for workplaces in the area.

WEP aims to expand education opportunities beyond the traditional high school credit courses. It offers assistance to employees in gaining secondary school credits as well as math and English upgrading in preparation for enrolment in credit courses, ESL, independent tutoring, and health education. It also facilitates specific skills programs such as report writing, metric measurement, and introductory computer courses.

WEP promotes workplace education, raises awareness of the need for continued education, and links education institutions and private contractors with companies.

For the local company, WEP will consult with management and union and make presentations to employees on education services. It conducts individual needs assessments with interested employees and develops individual learning plans if required. After reporting its to the company and union, WEP arranges meetings between company representatives and education providers who can submit proposals directly to the company.

WEP promotes existing classes or services whenever possible and facilitates class arrangements, sometimes combining employees from different companies to enable courses that otherwise would not be available. WEP also liaises with the instructors, bringing them together periodically for workshops and sharing sessions. Follow-up with employees provides the feedback necessary to see if needs are being met and to identify emerging education opportunities.

WEP has made it possible for business, labour, education institutions, and community literacy agencies to form partnerships and to promote community involvement through co-operative action. With its extensive knowledge of local education services, WEP is the centre for growth in workplace education in Peterborough and surrounding area.