Consider…

An educator is negotiating with an employer for a language and basic skills program. The employer shows her the area that the company can provide for learning — the open cafeteria, available during the busy lunch hour when the workers could eat and learn. Just say no?

O’Connor (1992) says that we should only agree to use a location exclusively set up as a training area, definitely not a lunchroom. He would say no and so did this educator. This type of arrangement sets the program up for failure by its lack of privacy, noise, inevitable interruptions and lack of respect for learning. Some companies can offer boardrooms or multi-purpose rooms or set up learning centres on the premises. Off-site locations in the vicinity may be more accommodating. For example, a large company began renting spacious, bright rooms in a nearby church for their own training. The language and basic skills sessions were offered there as part of their regular employee training.

Shared Time and Costs

A few good practice statements specifically mention arrangements for shared time and costs. The employers and participants demonstrate their commitment through shared time, release time, stipends or bonuses. The minimum is 50% time and wages contributed by the employer and 50% of time contributed by the participant. Full release time (100%) is strongly recommended by the most recent statewide partnership training initiative in Massachusetts as well as by their department of education. While these initiatives are tied closely to economic and community incentives, they still recognize learning serves both personal and work-related needs and interests.