1. Educational Advising at the Work Site: Stimulating Worker Interest in Education through a Network of Labor Education Advisors.
- Author
-
Brown, Ivan E.
- Abstract
The Labor Educational Advising Project (LEAP) was inaugurated in 1979 at Des Moines Area Community College to facilitate the provision of educational advising services within organized labor in Central Iowa. LEAP worked with local unions and union members to train a network of peer volunteers to provide educational counseling to workers interested in continuing their education. LEAP had four primary objectives: (1) to develop curriculum materials for counselor training workshops; (2) to conduct four 2-day workshops to train 80 educational advisors; (3) to assist 200 workers during the first year to participate in educational experiences; and (4) to provide an impetus for educational counseling within organized labor. The implementation of these objectives involved the development of a practical educational advising guide; the design and offering of an "Educational Advising Workshop for Labor Union Representatives" based on identified responsibilities of educational advisors; and the recruitment of contact persons at area educational institutions to serve as direct resource contacts for the advisors. During the first year after the final training session, several LEAP outcomes were observed, including an overall positive reaction to the training program; the continued activity of 28 of the 52 advisors who completed the training program; the provision of advisement to 364 workers by 13 advisors and the subsequent enrollment of 91 workers; and the recognition of educational advisors within the union structure. (HB)
- Published
- 1981