Workplace Resources

This section highlights workplace literacy and Essential Skills information and resources relevant to workplace stakeholders. It contains information on case studies, a business case, assessment, business drivers, and resources to help incorporate workplace literacy and Essential Skills into human resources practices.

Canadian CEO

ABC CANADA's annual publication of Canadian CEO showcases some of Canada's business, labour and civic leaders who are championing Essential Skills and workplace literacy. Their organizations have developed and implemented innovative programs that are raising workplace literacy skills among their employees and in their communities. Two issues of Canadian CEO have been published, highlighting the following organizations: Palliser Furniture, Diversified Metal Engineering, Boeing Canada Technology, Cameco Corp., Dofasco Inc., North West Company, City of Vancouver, City of Moncton, Royal Star Foods Ltd., Syncrude Canada Ltd., and BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc.  http://www.canadianceo.ca

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters

The Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters published Business Results through Literacy, a detailed guide to implementing Essential Skills and workplace literacy training in the workplace. It provides a general business case for workplace literacy and Essential Skills training and workshop materials for needs assessment, business case development and program implementation.  http://www.cme-mec.ca/on/documents/Literacy_Guide_CD.pdf

Conference Board of Canada

Workplace Literacy Central is a free resource with information, tools and advice for Canadian organizations and employers who want to raise literacy and Essential Skill levels in the workplace. The site outlines some of the top challenges of workplace training with suggested solutions, where to get help with training, best practices, and some benefits of workplace literacy training.  http://www.conferenceboard.ca/workplaceliteracy/default.asp

QUILL Learning Network

QUILL (Quality In Lifelong Learning) Network is one of 16 regional literacy networks in Ontario funded by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. One of QUILL's resource packages is Hire Value, designed to help employers in Ontario identify suitable employees for entry-level positions. Hire Value provides a guide to help employers with the employee selection process, learn about workplace preparation programs in specific areas, and to help local programs meet their hiring and training needs.  http://www.quillnet.org/hire_value_ha.html

Statistics Canada Report

Statistics Canada published a report entitled "Literacy scores, human capital and growth across fourteen OECD countries" which established a positive association between investments in human capital (based on literacy scores) and a country's subsequent growth and labour productivity. A major finding of the study was that, on average, every 1% increase in literacy scores is linked to an eventual 2.5% relative rise in labour productivity and a 1.5% rise in GDP per capita. The study also identified strong growth effects associated with the distribution of literacy and numeracy skills. Specifically higher percentages of individuals with very low skill levels may reduce the growth of GDP per capita.  http://www.statcan.ca/english/research/89-552-MIE/89-552-MIE2004011.pdf

Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES)

TOWES is an assessment tool used to assess the Essential Skills of Reading Text, Document Use and Numeracy. Test questions use authentic workplace materials and tasks as source materials in order to assess skills as they are used in the workplace. Test writers assume the role of a worker who must process information imbedded in an actual workplace document and complete a task or solve a problem using that information. TOWES scores provide employers with information that is useful in a variety of human resource functions including recruitment, training, succession planning and entrance into apprenticeship.  http://www.towes.com

Why is the workplace investing in Essential Skills?

There are a growing number of workplace stakeholders who are recognizing the value of investing in workplace literacy and Essential Skills. Below is a brief summary of business drivers that are contributing to this change in our Canadian workplace culture:

Reduced error rates

• Superior quality of goods and services
• Reduced waste of materials
• More productive employees
• Improved health and safety

Employee retention

• Larger pool for promoting employees
• Greater job mobility
• Improved employee morale and corporate image
• Employees who are able to learn new skills

The Canadian economy is changing

• Global competition for skills
• Shift to knowledge based economy
• Higher skill levels are required for occupations
• Increased requirements for regulatory compliance and certification.