This literature review provides an overview of the main lines of discussion and enquiry around social capital and adult learning and literacy. It was written as a background paper for "The Centre for Literacy's 2010 Summer Institute" on workplace literacy and essential skills (LES). The Institute focus was "what…

Four community colleges in North Carolina cooperated to provide workplace literacy education to employees of eight plants in the state. The target population for the program was 710 adults who had not completed high school or who were functioning below high school level who were employed at one of the industry sites. The Comprehensive Adult…

In March and April of 1992, 60 representatives of state-funded workplace education programs in New York attended day-long regional workshops to identify ways of improving program planning and evaluation methods. After the workshops, the participants returned to their home programs, organized local evaluation teams, and developed action plans to…

Six workplace literacy programs were evaluated for impact upon learners, learners' families, and learners' productivity. Site 1 was an automotive plant where learners were involved in technical preparation, the General Educational Development program, and English as a Second Language (ESL). Site 2 was a wood-processing plant with a communication…

Recent cognitive and historical research as well as the perspectives of workers can challenge the popular myths of literacy and work. It is believed that workers do not possess the necessary literacy skills for current and future jobs. Forecasters specify which groups will dominate the future work force--women, minorities, and immigrants. Since…

A review was conducted of a project to teach, upgrade, and improve the literacy skills of employees of ITT Sheraton Hotels in Hawaii. The project offered three basic modules on workplace literacy skills: English as a second language, basic skills, and General Educational Development Test preparation. It served a total of 534 employees from May 1,…

The Massachusetts Career Development Institute (MCDI) refined and expanded the existing program of Workplace Education at the Geriatric Authority of Holyoke (GAH), Massachusetts. The 18-month program provided educational and support services on site to 60 employees at the GAH. Classes were held in English as a second language, adult basic…

The Continuing Education Institute's Workplace ESL (English-as-a-Second Language) and ABE (Adult Basic Education) programs improved the job experience for employees with language and literacy problems in Boston (Massachusetts) by teaching them language strategies that had direct application to their jobs. Health care administrators, supervisors,…

The issues facing the following areas of adult education in Ireland in the era of lifelong learning were examined in a white paper: (1) second chance and further education; (2) community education; (3) workplace education; and (4) higher education. The Irish National Association of Adult Education (AONTAS) analyzed the recommendations presented in…