For future sustainability, certainly core funding is required. The learning of the partners during the provision of training makes future offerings easier to implement, as will the creation of local champions through the success of pilots. Finally, the recognition that a learning culture takes time to develop helps those involved in workplace literacy training to stay in the game.

Successful Models

In Saskatchewan, successful models of workplace literacy programs for small businesses need to be based on the following points:

• Partnership — in order to make essential workplace skills training cost effective, accessible, and applicable to the small workplace

• Community ownership — training based on community needs, using community resources, and promoting community successes will lead to sustainability

• General and specific training offerings — all training initiatives should have this option in order to meet participants’ needs

• Workplace-based training — provides the best opportunity for specific training combined with a variety of delivery mechanisms

• Soft skills as entry point — promotion of this training may allow for later discussion/identification of other essential skills and training needs

Finally, it is capacity-building at the local/regional level that leads to sustainability. This capacity-building involves a lot of public awareness, pilots to demonstrate success, development of local champions, and ongoing activity.

Since 2001, the SLFDB has continued to forge and support community-led partnerships focusing on essential workplace skills training for employed workers. The demand has been overwhelming, leading all levels of government, local groups/agencies/institutions, and individuals to acknowledge that workplace literacy, or essential workplace skills training, must be on our agenda to ensure our place in the new global economy.

Please check the SLFDB website for full reports and description of tools: www.slfdb.com

Ann Curry is the former project manager for Learning at Work, a project of the Saskatchewan Labour Force Development Board.