Workplace Education experience: Many of the participants had not been involved directly with the delivery of Workplace Education programs prior to the Summer Institute. Some however had worked with Workplace Education-related issues in community-based programs. A few participants had planned and/or delivered Workplace Education training before taking part.

Current Workplace Education work: Many of the participants who took part in the Workplace Education Summer Institute are integrating Workplace Education elements into other literacy programs while searching for specific Workplace Education employment. Several are employed with existing programs administered through community colleges and independent consulting firms. A few have started their own consulting businesses and are including skills learned during the Summer Institute in their line of services.

• Program

Developed by: Sue Folinsbee, in conjunction with local practitioners and planners (1994). Revised by Sue Folinsbee and Nancy Steel (1996). Co-ordinated through Mary Thompson Boyd, Literacy B.C. Co-ordinator of Training and Regional Development.

Length: approximately 40 hours over 10 days

Objectives / expected outcomes:

• to examine and analyze a framework for setting up Workplace Education programs
• to discuss and identify principles of good practice
• to develop strategies for building successful partnerships among workers, management, education providers, government and others
• to hear business, labour and local provider perspectives
• to enhance skills in conducting needs assessments appropriate to different phases of the planning process
• to identify how to decide on priorities and develop an action plan based on organizational needs assessment findings
• to plan a collaborative program evaluation
• to design and develop workplace-specific curriculum
• to develop a marketing strategy