[NIFL-WORKPLACE:130] First Four Answers from PA WIN

From: H. A. C. Watson (haw6@psu.edu)
Date: Tue Apr 10 2001 - 21:46:11 EDT


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Subject: [NIFL-WORKPLACE:130] First Four Answers from PA WIN
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Background
1.	What is workplace learning and literacy? What are the "foundation"
or basic skills?

PA WIN considers foundation skills as the core skills, knowledge and
abilities that all workers need to function effectively in any
workplace.
Workers apply — or integrate — the skills and knowledge to
successfully complete work tasks, work with others, manage their work
environment, and plan and direct personal and professional growth.
Foundation skills and knowledge are essential to effective performance
in a broad range of jobs and are portable across workplaces.  They are
also relevant for English speakers as well as those learning English
as a second language
This is an integration of the knowledge needed in the workplace with
customized academic skills to help the worker function effectively and
safely. The focus is on entry level and non-management or low
management levels in the organization.

2.	What is a Workforce Improvement Network? Where did the idea come
from?

PA WIN was born out of the Pennsylvania Interagency Coordinating
Committee’s recommendation (#4) to develop a basic skills support
system for incumbent worker programs.  The model we used for
development came from the Virginia WIN Program.

Recommendation #4 from the 1999 Blueprint For Change Report :

The ABLE ICC recommends that a centralized support system for
workplace education programs be developed and implemented to focus on
the basic and work-based skills needs of incumbent workers.

Such a network will develop the expertise and partnerships needed to
provide high-quality workplace basic skills programs and integrate
adult basic and literacy education into the workforce development
continuum by:

·	Providing trained program developers to (a) assist employers in
identifying workers’ basic skills needs, (b) link employers with adult
basic and literacy education providers, and (c) assist both employers
and providers in developing high-quality basic skills programs
designed to meet identified needs.
·	Providing employers with information on the impact of basic skills
on workplace productivity and profitability.
·	Informing employers of the types of services available.
·	Providing adult educators with professional development
opportunities to enhance their ability to work effectively with
employers in planning and providing customized basic skills programs
designed to meet employer and worker needs.
·	Connecting with the Commonwealth’s system of workforce development
including linkages with Team Pennsylvania CareerLink.

The network will upgrade the skills of incumbent workers through the
development of worksite basic skills programs.  Through ongoing
capacity-building and increased outreach, it will:
·	Develop a network of certified workplace program development brokers
trained to match adult basic and literacy education providers with
employers needing basic skills services.
·	Assist employers in identifying the basic skills needs of their
employees.
·	Provide adult educators with the curriculum development support
needed to customize basic skills instruction.
·	Support the development of workplace education programs designed to
meet the specific needs of workers and employers.

More information on this recommendation can be found at
http://www.pde.psu.edu/able/icc.html.

3.	What's the purpose of the network? What are the expected outcomes?
How does the system work? How do the systems differ -- and why?
The purpose of the Pennsylvania Workforce Improvement Network is to
encourage and support the development and expansion of customized
workplace foundation skills.  This is being done through a
centralized, market driven system of customized services to address
the workplace foundational skills needs throughout the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.  In essence, PA WIN is designed to encourage and support
the expansion of adult basic education organizations’ abilities to
provide customized foundation skills training for employees in their
places of work.


4.	What is the source of the money to support WIN and how did you get
it?

PA WIN is coordinated by the Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy
at the Pennsylvania State University, under a grant awarded by the
Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Bureau of Adult Basic and
Literacy Education (ABLE).



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