Forward

One of the biggest challenges that we have faced in marketing basic skills programs in the Canadian workplace is responding to concerns about the demonstrated impacts of basic skills education. Business often demands demonstrated, measurable benefits to justify involvement in the delivery or support of basic skills programs. Although we often discuss this issue in relation to business, labour too needs data to support prioritizing basic skills education on their agenda.

This research study confirms that the return on investment in basic skills education and training is very real. More importantly it shows that the impacts of programs go well beyond the return on a financial investment; it recognizes that all stakeholders make investments in the program and all stakeholders experience positive impacts.

It is our hope that this research will be useful in helping to secure basic skills education's position on the training agenda of Canadian businesses and labour organizations.

Our sincere appreciation to the individuals who agreed to give their time and share their experiences, and to the members of the WEC Council who helped in the development of the research project. Our special thanks to Ellen Long for her commitment to this project. Thank you also to Julia Budahazy who conducted our French interviews and to Ellie Robinson and Jessica Mann for their creative design work. Finally our thanks to our partners at HRDC who have provided valuable counsel and financial support to ABC CANADA's Workplace Education Centre.

Sincerely,

Colleen Albiston
Executive Director
ABC CANADA
416-442-2292