Authentic Workplace Documents

The Essential Skills Research Project has provided the opportunity to begin collecting authentic workplace materials – a set of materials (forms, tables, graphs, brochures, regulations, etc.) actually used in many jobs across Canada. The Collection focuses on reading text, document use and writing, though some materials also illustrate the use of other skills (e.g., oral communication and numeracy). The skills illustrated are transferable skills which can be used in many different jobs and in many situations other than work.

This extensive collection has come about because workers interviewed in the ESRP are encouraged to provide (with their employer’s permission) actual documents used in their jobs. This assists the researcher to better understand the kind of reading, writing and document use skills required by the occupation. The Authentic Workplace Materials are available on the HRDC web site (www15.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/essentialskills) along with suggested training strategies and learning activities for trainers and educators.