Forum Objectives

To begin to look at some of these questions, the NLS held a small-group consultation in Winnipeg in March 1999. The three-day meeting brought together a group of experienced Workplace Education Practitioners, funders and promoters of workplace literacy. The aim was to hold a preliminary discussion on the roles and contexts of Workplace Education Practitioners in different regions, and then to consider the current state and future development of practitioner training. If commonalties were significant, the discussion might turn to the desirability for some training harmonization across the country. This in turn could provide an opportunity to determine potential interest in more formal recognition of expertise. Finally, it was hoped that participants at the meeting would suggest different ways of determining future actions and consultation on these issues, and to determine if there was interest in developing a national communication infrastructure.

In brief, the Forum was to be used as an opportunity to get feedback from participants on:

  • the roles and working contexts of Workplace Education Practitioners in different regions
  • the identification of basic competencies required for a variety of practitioner roles
  • different methods of professional development and expertise-building
  • common needs and interests in training and/or recognition
  • potential models for more comprehensive training and/or recognition
  • a national communication infrastructure
  • how to proceed with issues of training and recognition in the future

Workplace Education Practitioners' Forum
Summary Report



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