These two manuals are designed to aid prospective providers of workplace literacy programs in program organization and implementation. The administrator's manual addresses the following topics: program philosophy, history, potential clients, advertising, guidelines for client meetings, instructor recruitment and training, client goals, learning…

These materials were developed for a 20-hour class on computers in a cement manufacturing plant. (In the workplace, they were used in conjunction with Typing Tutor 6 software.) The course is intended for complete beginners who need to use computers on the job. Each of the four modules can be used alone. The document begins with a pretest and…

Jobs in the future will demand a more skilled and literate work force than we have. One solution to the basic skills problem lies in job-related, accomplishment-focused programs that benefit the organization and the employee. (JOW)

Discusses a literacy research project that aims to produce a critical review of existing policy-related knowledge about adult literacy and illiteracy. Reports on the major themes of this review. (JOW)

The author describes a workplace literacy program designed by the Milwaukee SER-Jobs for Progress, Inc. for Res Manufacturing Company. This program enabled Res Manufacturing to upgrade its employees' basic skills, increase productivity, and eliminate the need for layoffs. (CH)

Discusses the basic skills training program instituted for the nonexempt work force at First Chicago Corporation, the 10th-largest bank holding company in the United States. Presents the rationale for the program and describes the successful training efforts in place at the bank. (JOW)

Workers' opinions regarding adult education conducted in the workplace demonstrated insight about themselves as learners and an understanding of high quality adult education programs. As a whole, the 80 participants preferred active, hands-on learning and preferred someone to demonstrate the task and then to try it themselves. (JOW)

Staff of the Adult Learning Resource Center in Des Plaines, Illinois, expanded their traditional program of adult education support services to include workplace training and support. A Workforce Education Provider Discussion Group was established. (Author/JOW)

The functional literacy discourse ignores the ideological role of literacy in society and enables workers to be blamed for poor economic performance. A more meaningful concept of literacy at work includes understanding workplaces as communities of practice and inclusion of the voices and experiences of workers. (SK)

Suggests that workplace literacy is a serious concern and most companies are doing nothing to address the problem. Discusses how several companies are dealing with the issue. (JOW)

Test scores of 106 employees on the Test of Adult Basic Education showed combined reading level in comprehension and vocabulary to be above 12th grade. Educational background was correlated with reading ability. Management perceptions of employee reading deficiencies were contradicted by these results. (SK)

Western Australia Department of Training is supporting a Literacy and Numeracy Pilot in which providers identify the literacy and numeracy skills their projects address, how skill needs are assessed, and what strategies are used to deliver instruction. Three industries are targeted for the pilot, which attempts to make literacy and numeracy…

Examines the nature and effects of predominant understandings or formulations of the relationship between literacy and work. Evaluates what workplace literacy programs have typically been designed to do. Discusses possible ways for future programs to create real opportunities for all participants to be truly involved in the process of workplace…

Considers how in many school districts and states, English teachers are being influenced to more directly address the teaching of workplace literacy within the English curriculum. Suggests some functional ways that educators might weave workplace literacy into the existing fabric of the classroom without displacing the important things currently…

In the 21st century concerns about workplace language and literacy skills, particularly in the service and manufacturing sectors, continue to drive education and testing policy in many OECD countries. Employers tend to adopt deficit assumptions about service workers' skills, conflating social identities and language and literacy, which can blind…