What We Heard - P.E.I.

Finally, participants suggested that employers, government, and educational institutions had to find creative ways of working together. In particular, participants called on governments to provide financial support to employers to allow them to provide required training because public educational institutions are not always able to react rapidly enough to meet business/industry needs.

Some Opportunities for Action...

Collaboration

Some participants suggested the creation of a "Collaborative Learning Incentive Program," which could help fund or support collaborative initiatives designed to augment the quality and/or quantity of training being delivered by employers and to encourage cooperation across sectors and stakeholders.
Others suggested the creation of arms' length organizations that would act as profit centres within public educational institutions (e.g., sub-corporations) and which would focus on delivering customized training (e.g., on behalf of employers or government).
Some suggested collaborative training initiatives where, for example, business would provide the facilities and equipment and educational institutions could provide the trainers or vice-versa.

6.6 Literacy and Essential Workplace Skills

Participants indicated that literacy is a problem that must be addressed in the province's schools. They felt that too many are graduating without basic literacy skills. As a result, too many adult workers have insufficient literacy skills and many are left behind. Participants also felt that essential workplace skills should be taught in high school.