Plenary Session 1: The Alpha and Omega of Workplace/Workforce Programs — Where to begin? How to get started? How do you know you're there? took place on Friday, October 17, 2003.
This session was conducted by:
Ruth Rogerson, Workplace Education PEI,
Margan Dawson, AWENS, NS,
Judy Purcell, Department of Education, NS and
Cindy Christopher, Department of Education, NL.
The presentations focussed on the "5 P's" of the workplace educational model which are: principles, partnerships, process/program, practitioner training, and promotion.
Ruth Rogerson reviewed adult education principles as being a learner-centred approach, a comfortable environment, the learners' experiences and knowledge, anonymous results, small groups and celebration. She stressed that the key points in workplace literacy programs are partnerships, informal assessments, customized learning materials, monitoring and evaluation.
Judy Purcell and Margan Dawson provided the delegates with an overview of the Nova Scotia Workplace Education Instructor Certification Program. They outlined its background, its development process, its purpose, its format/delivery, its content and its certification process.
Cindy Christopher focussed on the marketing of workplace education. She utilized a Newfoundland and Labrador context and provided them with an overview of the Guide to Supporting Workplace Education. This guide had been developed to provide assistance in developing a workplace education program.
Plenary Session 2: The Experience of Collaborative Efforts: Successes and Challenges took place on Friday, October 17, 2003.
This session was conducted by:
Mark Roberts, NL Hydro,
Blair Doucet, USWA/Brunswick Mines Project,
Curtis Lemieux, Metocean Data Systems,
Cyril Meagher, Allendale Electronics,
Margan Dawson, Metocean Instructor,
Joe Brown, Department of Education, NS and
Judy Purcell, Department of Education, NS.
The presenters shared best practices, mechanisms, and success and challenges of collaboration as represented in their workplace/workforce education programs. They covered such topics as the role of project teams, external partnerships and resources, getting started, identifying needs, funding issues, program development and delivery, and measuring success.