Literacies in the workplace

It is estimated that 500,000 adults in Scottish workplaces have low levels of literacy and numeracy. Unemployed people and workers facing redundancy, workers in low skill jobs, and people on low incomes are three of the priority groups identified in the Adult Literacy and Numeracy in Scotland report 2001 (ALNIS).

Workplace literacies network

Learning Connections has set up a network for those involved in the development and delivery of literacies in the workplace. Our aim is to encourage the sharing of information and effective practice, as well as giving people an opportunity to influence national initiatives. If you would like to join the network, or get more information about it, please contact Jackie Borge.

Notes of network meeting (18 September 2007)

Notes of network meeting (4 July 2007)

Notes from network meeting (8 May 2007)

Notes from network meeting (14 February 2007)

The next meeting of the network will take place on Tuesday 18 September 2007 (venue to be confirmed). If you would like to attend please email Jackie Borge.

Pilot Projects

In December 2006 the Scottish Executive awarded funding to eight pilot projects to develop models for addressing literacies learning in the workplace. The reports from these projects are now available below:

Dumfries & Galloway Adult Literacy and Numeracy Partnership
Fife Adult Literacy and Numeracy Partnership
Glasgow Adult Literacy and Numeracy Partnership and Strathclyde Police (partners include the 11 Adult Literacy and Numeracy Partnerships in the Strathclyde region)
Glasgow South West Regeneration Agency
Scottish Borders Adult Literacy and Numeracy Partnership
Stow College Glasgow
Workers' Educational Association (WEA) Scotland (ESOL literacies)
UNISON and WEA Scotland (working with the Care Sector)

Resources

The Big Plus for Business toolkit was launched as a pilot in November 2004. The toolkit contains a range of materials which have been designed to raise employers' awareness of workplace literacies, and to encourage them to support their staff in developing these skills. Also included are materials which can be used to attract employees to workplace programmes. Contact Jackie Borge for further information.

Professional Development Award (PDA)

The contract to develop the PDA: Literacies in the workplace has been awarded to Glasgow Community Learning Strategy Partnership's work-related working group. A pilot course at Level 7 of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) will be delivered and evaluated by July 2007. Further information from Jackie Borge.

Pathfinders

ALNIS recommended that four pathfinder projects be established to raise awareness and stimulate demand for literacy and numeracy. In March 2002, three pathfinders received funding for three years to explore innovative approaches to engaging new literacies learners in the workplace:

Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC)
North Lanarkshire Community Learning Strategy Partnership
Skills for Logistics (formerly the Road Haulage and Distribution Training Council)

The projects finished in March 2005 and a copy of the evaluation report is available online. Further information can be obtained from Jackie Borge.

Research reports

Development of Guidelines for Workplace Literacies January 2007

A series of workplace literacies reports which look at the workplace literacies experiences of adult literacy and numeracy partnerships around Scotland.

Adult literacy in Scotland: employer survey report

'Identifying effective workplace basic skills strategies for enhancing employee productivity and development' NRDC January 2004

'The benefits to employers of raising workforce basic skills levels: a review of the literature' NRDC October 2003

'The impact of adult literacy and numeracy on small businesses in rural Lincolnshire and Rutland: a case study' NRDC January 2004