The level of development of the workplace literacy field varies across the country. There is no doubt that provincial government support is a contributing reason—provinces such as Nova Scotia and Quebec are good examples. However, the ability of practitioners to access professional development and training opportunities has also been a significant factor. When it comes to workplace-based programs, employers and labour look for an educational partner that has the broad based experience needed to develop a program to address their needs. The NLS Business and Labour Partnership Program recognized this early on and encouraged and funded initiatives to support the professional development of the field. For example, unions partnered with literacy instructors and labour educators to design peer tutor training programs. In addition, they produced curriculum development tools and workshops to share the ‘labour approach’ with literacy practitioners not yet familiar with the dynamics of workplace-based programs. This case study points to the need to recognize practitioner training and development as a key component of any literacy strategy. Building the credibility of the field will ensure that literacy can take its place as a legitimate component of Canada’s education system.
There seems to be little disagreement that literacy is an important issue. The 2005 Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (IALSS) pushed literacy out of the margins and forced governments, at all levels, to state that more must be done to address the literacy needs of Canadians. At the same time, two recent reports have called for a Pan-Canadian literacy strategy: the 2003 Report of the Standing Committee of Human Resources Development, Raising Adult Literacy Skills: The Need for a Pan-Canadian Response, and the 2005 Ministerial Advisory Committee on Literacy and Essential Skills Report, Towards a Fully Literate Canada: Achieving National Goals through a Comprehensive Pan-Canadian Literacy Strategy.
Yet the adult literacy sector still finds itself having to make the case for literacy. There is little or no core funding for community or workplace-based literacy. The sector is dependent on project funding, and even that funding has been cut back and its scope severely restricted by the current federal government. The federal cuts have led to a broad based campaign in support of literacy programs. Practitioners can use the findings of this case study to point to a concrete example of what works and call for specific policies and programs that build on the approach pioneered by the NLS Business and Labour Partnership Program.