• There are at least a dozen or so employers who have onsite learning centers that specifically and successfully address basic skills. Some of these were started with funding from Forest Renewal BC and/or the National Literacy Secretariat and then became 100% employer funded. Some always were. Program costs typically include the facility, instructor time, and all or part of the workers’ wages.

• A single program in a single mill was found to be of benefit to 150 or 440 workers.

• Peer tutoring programs have had considerable success. Finding and training the right tutors – who are said to be cornerstones of these programs – can be challenging, but important. They are the ones workers will trust. They are the “champions” who can “sell” the program.

• The Joint Union Management Program (JUMP) training didn’t use the words literacy or numeracy because of the negative connotation. Workers were afraid of not getting promotions if they admitted to literacy problems. Still, basic skills upgrading was a part of many courses – such as “Math Skills for Sawmillers”. JUMP training created a culture of learning that is still present in some of the mills. In total, there were 43 sites throughout the province and in Campbell River it had an 80% uptake with 1200+ employees.

• In many communities we visited, there is virtually nothing in place with regard to workforce literacy and few or no partnerships around learning among employers, unions, and aboriginal peoples – despite high First Nations populations.

• While they may be sympathetic to the issue of upgrading, we were told that small business owners often don’t have the time to facilitate processes of worker transition and to access government programs.

Union Involvement…

“Negotiate in the collective bargaining process, and get the employer to contribute. We need to have more awareness around literacy and ensure that those lacking are not going to be punished for seeking assistance in gaining skills.” – Union Representative in the Supplemental Business/Labour Telephone Survey

“We have to develop a learning culture at work, then work on literacy. Everyone needs to be learning, not just those who need basic skills. No one should be ostracized.” – Labour representative during Consultation

“If our members don’t have basic skills, there is a problem. So we ensure there are opportunities available for them to gain the skills needed to do their job. They need to be able to understand safety rules and fill in reports.” – Union Representative in the Supplemental Business/Labour Telephone Survey

• Unions can serve as the catalyst for members to learn and grow on the workplace – and to enhance their employability and earning potential in the process. One direct role unions can play is to offer courses that motivate, increase confidence, and enhance the skills of their membership.

• Negotiated training trusts – usually so many cents per hour worked – could be used for upgrading programs.

• Health and safety is an issue around which both unions and employers agree. Providing basic skills upgrading in the context of safety training is a viable strategy.

• One union we spoke with said their agreement is for 3 cents per hour for union training – but this is not necessarily literacy and basic skills training. They said they would need around 20 cents per hour for that.

• Several volunteer-based literacy programs that are partnering with colleges for cost-shared funding from the National Literacy Secretariat and the former Ministry of Advanced Education, Training and Technology (now the Ministry of Advanced Education) cited the need for their staff to join the union as one of the barriers to program delivery.