NILA can create a model of partnership that leads the way to building a community’s capacity for developing integrated partnerships with community agencies and government departments trying to impact the labour market. Every participant’s success story included a description of partnerships that worked well. Research participants frequently wished for a way to show how joint partnerships are a better fit for service delivery. Participant C commented on the need for “the two governments working better together.”
There are current funding opportunities available for NILA to partner with the communities, the employers, the ECs, the Aboriginal job seeker, and a variety and levels of government agencies. NILA can help to open a door to a place where the EC’s voice can be heard and, in this way, help to support their effectiveness.
NILA has the expertise to develop a replicable model of workplace literacy analysis for First Nations’ rural and northern communities. Both the first and second recommendations can get underway during the next fiscal year. The Federal Government through Human Resources and Social Development Canada and the Workplace Skills Initiative branch, have recently posted a call for national proposals that is a wonderful fit for models of workplace projects that include all the key stakeholders. The same initiative is looking for replicable tools and resources to build capacity across the country. A national employer sector group has recently contacted NILA and is hoping to create a project where tools like the workplace literacy assessment can be piloted and made available for others. Participants identified gaps in appropriate assessments that address the health and well-being of Aboriginal job seekers, and there were repeated wishes for assessments and tools to help the EC meet the needs of the clients. The Conference Board of Canada (2003) stressed the need to support workplace literacy across the country. The report summary explained,
For Canadian employees, the picture is as clear: literacy and success go hand in hand. Working adults who improve their literacy skills typically gain better pay and more promotions, a lower incidence of unemployment, and better upward labour market mobility. Literacy training also encourages workers to become more involved in family and community-related learning activities. Clearly, improving literacy offers benefits for workers, their communities, and their workplaces. (p. i)