Definitions

Literacy

In today’s world we define literacy as the wide spectrum of skills that people need to share, understand and use information so they can participate fully in their family, community and work. The skills people need will shift and change throughout their life, based on personal choices and circumstances such as geography, culture, age, gender, and other social and economic factors.

We no longer consider people as ‘literate’ or ‘illiterate’. Literacy is a continuous, lifelong process of learning.

Workplace Literacy

We define workplace literacy as programs that improve an individual’s basic literacy or ‘essential skills’. Essential skills are core skills than workers need to do their job effectively.

Workplace literacy programs use real life workplace materials as a tool to improve basic reading, writing and other essential skills.

Essential Skills

We define essential skills as the basic skills people use every day in their jobs and their lives. Essential skills are building blocks to learn other skills and become more complex as people integrate skills in the work setting.

Essential skills means people have the understanding and ability to:

• Read, understand and use text such as reports, letters and equipment manuals;
• Communicate effectively;
• Read, understand and use documents such as safety instructions, assembly directions and maps;
• Use numbers by themselves or in charts and tables;
• Think critically, solve problems, and make decisions;
• Use computers and other communication and information systems and technology;
• Build and work in teams;
• Show a positive attitude toward change; and
• Choose continuous, lifelong learning.