The purpose of this paper is to provide information and analysis, and make recommendations about how to improve workplace and workforce literacy in Nunavut and the NWT. Specifically, the paper provides some basic information and analysis about:
We used the information and analysis to make recommendations to improve workplace and workforce literacy in Nunavut and the NWT.
Two appendices provide more details:
The demand is very high in Nunavut and the NWT for skilled workers in many areas of employment. There is a significant gap between available jobs and the skills of unemployed people – the people that really need the jobs. Much of the gap is due to low literacy skills.
The Nunavut and NWT Literacy Councils have received increased demands for information and resources about literacy in the workplace and literacy as part of workforce development.
In Nunavut and the NWT there is a critical need for more awareness and better information about workplace and workforce literacy. All stakeholders need to work together to understand exactly what is workplace and workforce literacy, and what we can do individually and collectively to support and improve it.
To meet the research objectives we carried out a literature review, including some information about past programs in Nunavut and the NWT.
We did interviews and focus groups based on two sets of questions – one for employers and educators, and one for workers and learners. More than 50 people participated in seven focus groups and nine interviews. They represented Aurora and Nunavut Arctic Colleges, secondary school educators, more than 10 employers and people from five training programs. See Appendix C for the questions and a list of the people that participated.
A final meeting provided further information. Employers, government officials, literacy workers and educators came together to consider a workplace/workforce literacy partnership for Nunavut and the NWT.