Workplace Literacy Pilot Projects: A Discussion Paper = Les Projects-pilotes en alphabetisation en milieu de travail: document de discussion.

From 1995-1998, 12 of the 79 organizations funded by Canada's National Literacy Secretariat (NLS) conducted approximately 40 workplace literacy pilot projects across Canada. Those projects were reviewed to determine their effectiveness in increasing the number and quality of Canadian workplace literacy programs. Information for the review was collected from the following sources: review of pertinent materials available through the NLS; conversations with practitioners involved in workplace pilot projects and provincial government representatives; and interviews with representatives of 4 of the 12 organizations (an employer association, federation of labor, the Prairie Regional Training Consortium, and an industrial sector training council). The pilot projects tended to have three fields of activity: learning activities; short-term organizational change strategies; and long-term structural workplace change. The pilots have introduced literacy into a range of new industries and workplaces; however, only a small number of workplaces have created foundations for ongoing programs. Recommendations emerging from the review included calls for the NLS to fund more innovative workplace learning strategies and extend the time and financial resources for pilots to support more effective organizational change activities. A French translation is included. (Appended is information about how the review was conducted.) (MN)