Between 1988 and 2006, the partnership projects supported by the Program were able to develop assessment and evaluation tools, create innovative models for delivering workplace literacy, support training and consultations, and compile best practices for workplace literacy.
Many projects developed tools for workplace instructors, such as the Organizational Needs Assessment and Literacy Task Analysis. As well, a multi-year project by Bow Valley College and Skillplan developed the groundbreaking Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES).
Support for provincial initiatives laid the foundation for business, labour, and government to work together to create innovative models for delivery. One example is the Workplace Education Manitoba Steering Committee (WEMSC), which has changed the perception of workplace literacy in the province. The model from Manitoba has been adopted in other jurisdictions. In addition, WWestnet organized a number of conferences that became key training events for Canada. Further, a large number of projects complied best practices for the field. These publications and reports were widely used in Research-in-Practice workshops, practitioner conferences, and clear language trainings.
At the root of the program accomplishments was a strategic position held by the NLS premised on a set of core beliefs about the need for capacity building and community development. From this position, key business and labour needs were identified first and the workplace was viewed as an innovative venue for advancing literacy. As the partnership program moved into the development and demonstration years, it enabled and supported new ideas that sprung up from the field and the stakeholders. Another core belief held by the NLS was related to the idea that new knowledge could be created from the accumulation of field practices. During the first and second periods of the program, there was also a focus on exploring new models for the delivery of workplace literacy and essential skills training.