Current Workplace Education work: Workplace Education programs are just beginning to become established in the N.W.T. Of the adult educators who participated in the training event, many are now teaching ABE in local colleges and workplaces. In some regions, itinerant instructors provide Workplace Education courses to smaller communities. Some participants are carrying out needs assessments or delivering programs as independent consultants, working closely with local colleges.

• Program

Developed by: Sue Folinsbee (ABC CANADA) and Nancy Steel (ABC CANADA West) in collaboration with a Steering Committee consisting of Cate Sills (Literacy and ABE, GNWT), Glenys Dawson (Aurora College) and local educators.

Length: 35 hours, over one week

Objectives / expected outcomes:

• To identify principles which underlie good practice in Workplace Education
• To develop strategies for building successful partnership among workers, management, education providers, government and others
• To develop and enhance specific skills (ONA, program set up, program evaluation, curriculum development, etc)
• To build a marketing strategy
• To establish networking ties between a dispersed group of practitioners

Topics:

• Developing a Framework for Workplace Literacy (Sue Folinsbee)
• Planning and Conducting Workplace Basic Skills Needs Assessments (Sue Folinsbee)
• Linking Essential Skills Profiles with Workplace Needs Assessments (Julian Evetts and Conrad Murphy)
• Worker-Centred Assessment (Karen Bennet)
• Program and Curriculum Design / Developing Materials (Karen Bennet)
• Planning a Program Evaluation (Nancy Steel)
• Community and Workplace Marketing (Nancy Steel)

Teaching Approach: The program was developed as an interactive seminar-style course. Besides presentations by the different training leaders, participants were involved in group work and discussions to share expertise.