The Workplace/Workforce Literacy Symposium Report

Session Four: Cross-sector Roundtable Discussions

After lunch, delegates from each of the four sector groups sat at each table. During this session, these “mixed” groups discussed the following questions:

• What are the drivers that have led to active workplace literacy initiatives?
• What could be the role of . . . government? business? labour? the literacy community? . . . in these efforts.
• What are the ingredients of success?
• What are the challenges?

Highlights from the Roundtables

Drivers

• Workers asking for assistance as well as unions promoting increased training; an increased understanding by business of the connection between literacy and success; unemployed workers and others wanting to enter a highly competitive workforce
• Most recently, the lack of government leadership in the province, resulting in calls for a forum for business and labour; this symposium is a good start
• Globalization and increased competition; skills shortages and changing skills
• Changing demographics in Canadian society resulting from immigration, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA); also the need to work with the existing workforce
• A concern that many young people lack the skills to succeed in the workforce
• The increase in the number of workplace certifications and standards; an increasing level of education required for various jobs; the need for clear language