Pre-Forum Planning

Brigid Hayes of the NLS approached the Manitoba Association of Workplace Educators to organize the event in Winnipeg¹ . Besides the MAWEC sub-committee, which worked on a volunteer basis, a meeting facilitator was hired to assume responsibility for site logistics. To determine the focus of the event, a number of practitioners from different provinces were asked to serve as an advisory group. One conference call was held to discuss key issues and expectations, and to frame the objectives of the Forum. Follow-up communication occurred largely through e-mail.

Potential participants were identified through their previous work in the field. Final participants were selected based on availability, location and roles in workplace education. The aim was to ensure as broad an outreach as possible by including practitioners with experience in a wide range of areas within Workplace Education. Although not participating as representatives of any particular stakeholder group, participants had experience in government, labour, industry, community-based and rural programming on both a national and regional level.

A package of readings was sent to participants in advance of the Forum (see Appendix). Besides documents which had been produced on practitioner development and recognition over the years across Canada, some articles were gathered from the U.S. and overseas. The information described certification programs in other fields, showed skills profiles from related jobs, or suggested research paths that could be undertaken in Workplace Education Practitioner development. The purpose of the readings was to demonstrate the diversity with which the issues of training and recognition could be approached.

Once overall objectives had been determined, participants had been confirmed and readings were distributed, Manitoba facilitators Drew Henderson and Barbara MacKay were engaged to coordinate the Forum activities. General background information, reading materials and meetings helped them to structure the event. Final arrangements for the event were made.

Kick-Off Event

In order to capitalize on the presence of experienced practitioners coming from other regions, MAWEC prepared a one-day professional development event to precede the Forum. The event was open to Forum participants as well as all Manitoba Workplace Education Practitioners.

1. MAWEC is an organization dedicated to the support and professional
development of consultants and educators working with workplace literacy,
ESL, numeracy and upgrading in Manitoba.

Workplace Education Practitioners' Forum
Summary Report