Innovations in Workplace Literacy and Learning

Executive Summary

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objective of the Institute

The overall objective of the Innovations in Workplace Literacy and Learning: 4^th Atlantic Region Workplace/Workforce Institute was to encourage the growth of workplace literacy in the region by:

exploring links between workplace literacy and economic development,
exploring how workers, employers, industry, labour and government can ensure a welltrained and more literate workforce, and
fostering partnerships.

It was believed that the objective of the Innovations in Workplace Literacy and Learning: 4^th Atlantic Region Workplace/Workforce Institute had direct linkages to the federal Innovation Strategy in the following ways:

exploring the ways in which workplace literacy programs can improve literacy levels and adults' knowledge of basic grammar and vocabulary,
demonstrating how workplace literacy programs can help increase the participation of underemployed groups at home, at work, and in community (women, youth, people with disabilities, visible minorities, and Aboriginal people),
exploring the role of Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition in workplace literacy programs,
exploring the ways in which Atlantic Canadians can better prepare for labour market participation through workplace literacy initiatives,
exploring how all levels of government can facilitate innovative opportunities in workplace literacy, and
encouraging collaboration among education stakeholders, labour, government and industry, and demonstrating how participation can be increased in workplace literacy programs.

How the Objectives were Accomplished

The objective of the Innovations in Workplace Literacy and Learning: 4^th Atlantic Region Workplace/Workforce Institute was accomplished through the development of an agenda designed to meet each of the sub-objectives listed above. Delegates participated in plenary sessions as well as workshops supplemented by provincial and stakeholder caucuses.

Additionally, at the beginning of the conference, Linda Coles, the Institute chair asked delegates to consider four questions that would be discussed on the last day of the conference in their provincial caucuses. The four questions considered by each caucus were:

What are the top three priorities which should be addressed in workplace/workforce literacy?
Can you identify the partnerships required to address these priorities?
Who will lead the initiative in the Atlantic Region?
What is our plan of action? A copy of the agenda of the Innovations in Workplace Literacy and Learning: 4^th Atlantic Region Workplace/Workforce Institute can be found in Appendix A.