Framing Workforce Literacy: An Overview

by Wendy DesBrisay, Executive Director,
Movement for Canadian Literacy

Although adults seek out literacy training for many reasons, most of them boil down to wanting to be better equipped for their roles as family members, citizens, and workers. Each of these roles is the theme in our current series of MCL newsletters. The last issue covered family literacy. This one focuses on the workforce and the next issue will look at literacy in relation to citizenship.

While we consider these three roles equally important and valuable, a focus on workforce literacy is especially timely because Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) is currently working on a long-term plan to increase the labour market skills of Canadians. The federal government sees this as a national issue that is crucial for Canada’s future: in 10 years, there will be no net growth in the labour force. By then, all labour market growth will come from immigration. The government wants to ensure that all Canadians have “opportunities and incentives to acquire new skills and knowledge.”

We use the term workforce , as opposed to workplace literacy in order to include both employed and unemployed; both actual and potential workers.

The government says skills and learning are an area where the economic agenda and the social agenda come together. We share with governments at all levels the goal of making sure everyone has the skills to participate in the knowledge economy. At the same time we believe in the value of learning for ANY reason, and we can use this time of increased government commitment to promote this perspective.

In fond memory of Peter Gzowski (1934-2002)
a passionate literacy advocate. Since 1986 he raised more than $6 million for literacy through the Peter Gzowski Invitational (PGI) Golf Tournaments.He will be missed by all Canadians.