Workplace Discussion List Members,

I wish all of you a safe and gratifying holiday! 

This is a long list of fine resources, some shared with us by Paul Jurmo
and others that have come across my desk in the last two weeks.  If you
have time to browse over the holidays, you will surely find good reading
here!  If you put your work away for the holidays, flag this message for
later so that it doesn't get buried in the avalanche of mail you will
return to. Enjoy!

Donna

Donna Brian, Moderator
Workplace Literacy Discussion List
Center for Literacy Studies at The University of Tennessee
djgbrian at utk.edu

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Shared with us by Paul Jurmo [Thanks, Paul!]
Some On-Line Resources for Adult Educators (December 2006)

"Out of the Many, One"  Integrating Immigrants in New Jersey:"  This
2006 report from the New Jersey Immigration Policy Network
(http://www.njipn.org/ ) outlines strategies (including adult education
and language access) for helping New Jersey's growing immigrant
population better integrate into the state's economy and society.  

"Lost in Translation" This November 2006 report from the Center for an
Urban Future (www.nycfuture.org) argues for a major reorganization and
funding for ESOL services for New York State's 3.9 million immigrants. 

"Chance of a Lifetime"  This May 2006 report from the Center for an
Urban Future (www.nycfuture.org) describes the growing population of
young people in New York City who are "disconnected" to meaningful
employment and education.  It outlines rewarding jobs that will be
opening up in a number of industries (e.g., construction, healthcare,
transportation, etc.) as the current workforce retires and particular
youth populations which can benefit from education and job development
services. 

Workbase:  This New Zealand organization ( www.workbase.org.nz )
provides guidebooks (e.g., "Workplace Literacy: A Programme Manager's
Guide") and other resources for those wishing to provide well-planned,
high quality workplace basic skills services.  This is a model of a
workplace education resource center that could be adapted by states and
communities in the U.S.   

"Increasing Opportunity and Reducing Poverty in New York City" This
September 2006 report from the NYC Commission for Economic Opportunity
(www.nyc.gov) describes key populations in New York City that should be
targeted by poverty-reduction initiatives.  The report shows the link
between poverty and a lack of education and basic skills.  It recommends
many strategies familiar to adult educators, including career ladder
programs, financial literacy, integrating adult education with workforce
and economic development, credentialing programs, and education for
adjudicated youth. 

Recent publications from Public Private Ventures: The following
publications (http://www.ppv.org/index.asp ) describe economic
development initiatives for various U.S. populations served by adult
education programs (including childcare workers and ex-inmates).
"Ready4Work" (a report about a national study of programs for
ex-inmates); "Locally Grown: Strategies for Expanding Workforce
Services;" and "Investing in Low-Wage Workers: Lessons from Family Child
Care in Rhode Island."

Pennsylvania's Workforce System:  This web site
(http://www.paworkforce.state.pa.us/about/cwp/view.asp?a=471&q=152120 )
describes one state's efforts to build a workforce development system
that meets high standards.  The state has encouraged (through grants and
technical assistance) local Workforce Investment Boards to agree on a
set of standards for WIBs and then develop locally-relevant plans for
meeting those standards.  This site describes key industries and jobs
that workforce and economic development efforts should focus on.  

Sloan Center on Innovative Training and Workforce Development at Rutgers
University:  This web site
(http://www.itwd.rutgers.edu/mainPages/index.htm) describes the work of
a relatively new center which is promoting on-line learning and other
practices to support workforce development.  The Center recently hosted
a two-day national conference in Washington, DC which brought together
researchers, funders, and service providers from around the U.S. to
discuss new approaches to workforce development which promote
efficiently integrated services and uses of distance technologies. 

>From the What Works Clearinghouse http://whatworks.ed.gov/

Dropout Prevention.  This review focuses on interventions in middle
school, junior high school, or high school designed to increase high
school completion, including techniques such as the use of incentives,
counseling, or monitoring.
http://whatworks.ed.gov/Topic.asp?tid=06&ReturnPage=default.asp

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Reminder from COABE  http://www.coabe2007.org/ 
To get the cheapest rate for the COABE Conference, you must register by
January 5th, 2007. Here is a link to the registration part of the
conference website:
<http://coabe2007.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&
amp;id=40&amp;Itemid=51> 
For those wondering what types of sessions will be available, we are
expecting there to be at least 15 sessions in most areas of special
interest, including ABE/GED, ESL, Family Literacy, Literacy, Numeracy,
and Workforce. The conference will also feature renowned author Jonathon
Kozol as the Keynote Speaker, Tom Sticht as a guest speaker during the
networking luncheon, and an opening plenary session by Rose Brandt and
Cheryl Keenan. 

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>From Literacy Works (New Zealand)  http://www.workbase.org.nz

Literacy Needs Analysis Guide
 	We have just published on our website a guide to undertaking a
workplace literacy needs analysis.  Carrying out a workplace literacy
needs analysis determines whether or not a company needs a workplace
literacy programme. The findings of the literacy needs analysis also
inform the design and delivery of the literacy programme. 
	The literacy needs analysis framework described in this Guide
has been used by Workbase in over 100 needs analyses in diverse
workplaces throughout New Zealand.  See
http://www.workbase.org.nz/Article.aspx?ID=134#LNA

Workplace Literacy: A Programme Managers' Guide - hardcopies available 
	This guide is designed for managers in tertiary education
organisations who are interested in providing literacy or foundation
learning programmes in the workplace.  You may have seen the online
version of this guide on our website.
See
http://elearning.workbase.org.nz/course/view.php?id=11&username=guest.

Online directory of recommended adult literacy resources
	Workbase closed its Bookshop in 2005 and to fill the gap we have
developed an online directory of suitable resources, which we recommend.
This directory aims to make finding good quality teaching resources for
tutors to use with adult literacy learners much quicker and easier. The
directory contains a list of recommended, 'tried and true' teaching
resources for adult literacy tutors and where to get them.
	Resources on the following topics are included: reading,
writing, numeracy, vocational education, ESOL, computer literacy and
workplace health and safety. Each entry provides:
	* A brief description of the resource 
	* Price in local currency 
	* Supplier contact details.
See http://www.workbase.org.nz/Article.aspx?ID=404
 
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>From Workforce3 One November/December 2006 Newsletter

http://www.workforce3one.org/home.cfm
[Note: This is a Department of Labor site. All the materials below may
be accessed from the Workforce3 One website, however, you must be a
registered Workforce3 One user to access them.  Registration is free. To
register, go to http://www.workforce3one.org/register.cfm]

New Tool: Regional Economic Development QSAP 
	The Regional Development Quick Start Action Planner (QSAP) is an
online self-assessment tool for Workforce Investment and Economic
Devleopment System leaders and stakeholders to better understand how to
proceed in building a collaborative, regionally-based planning system
that integrates the activities of workforce and economic development.
This tool is designed to help implement a process for regional asset
alignment and economic transformation. The self-assessment consists of
five critical steps to a transformational process. The QSAP provides a
list of indicators that assess an area's current situation, and then
identifies action steps to successfully implement regional economic
planning and development strategies. At the end of the self-assessment,
users receive a detailed report with direct links to online tools,
information, and resources to help develop and action plan and implement
a process for regional asset alignment and economic transformation. All
responses are strictly confidential, and results are not stored or
tracked. 

Inside Workforce3 One: Regional Development Resources  
These resources explore the different angles and approaches to regional
workforce and economic development for the 21 st Century economy. 
	Career Pathways: Aligning Public Resources to Support Individual
and Regional Economic Advancement in the Knowledge Economy: This report,
published by the Workforce Strategy Center, is the first in a series
called ?Pathways to Competitiveness.? It lays out the economic
justification for career pathways, describes the process involved, and
sets the stage for the remaining reports. 
	Clusters of Innovation: Regional Foundations of U.S.
Competitiveness: This paper examines five successful regional economies
and identifies a wide variety of challenges and opportunities in
regional economic development. 
	A New Rural Economy: A New Role for Public Policy: This report
highlights recent trends in the nation's rural economy. It outlines
rural America 's development challenge including the importance of
innovation and entrepreneurs. 
Accelerating Economic Development Through University Technology
Transfer: This report by Innovation Associates highlights some of the
most successful technology transfer practices and commercialization
programs at ten renowned universities. 
	Making Sense of Clusters: Regional Competitiveness and Economic
Development: This paper, by the Brookings Institution, explains what
industry clusters are, why they matter for regional economic development
policy, and how to use cluster analysis as a guide for policy and
practice. 
	The Role of Entrepreneurship in Economic Development: This
summary of conference proceedings examines how entrepreneurs and small
businesses create economic growth, and how this phenomenon can be
encouraged by states looking to grow their economies. 
	Innovate America: National Innovation Initiative Summit and
Report: 
This short Executive Summary presents the Council's national innovation
agenda, divided into the areas of talent, investment and infrastructure.
The report served as one of the foundations for ETA's WIRED Initiative. 
Location Quotient Calculator: This BLS Web Tool generates location
quotients, a measure that is familiar to regional labor economists as a
way to readily compare the industrial activity levels among different
areas of the country.   
 
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>From Workforce USA  http://www.workforceusa.net/

December 2006 Newsletter http://www.workforceusa.net/news_prv.php?id=81

Language diversity delicate matter for businesses  
	This article explores language barriers in the workplace,
highlighting issues faced by Chicago-area businesses, but echoing a
growing national problem faced by employers and employees alike. Written
by David Garbe of The Beacon News Online, the piece tracks the
challenges and opportunities presented by "language diversity,"
especially in restaurant, landscape and manufacturing industries.  Read
More... http://www.workforceusa.net/article_det.php?article_id=563 
 
Union vows to save autoworkers' jobs  
	The United Auto Workers' union hopes to cut costs and save some
jobs slated for layoffs by some of America's largest auto manufacturers,
according to an article in The Herald News. Ford Motor Company has
announced 75,000 employee buyouts and 30,000 potential layoffs. UAW
hopes to take lessons learned from the steel industry and work with
companies to reduce budgets to retain some of its workforce.  Read
More...  http://www.workforceusa.net/article_det.php?article_id=599
 
Manufacturers fight image to find workers  
	About 90% of the manufacturing industry has faced challenges in
filling high-skilled, well-paid positions, as reported in a Los Angeles
Times article on the FortWayne.com. With older workers retiring, current
workers not updating skills and national training programs on the
decline, the sector is often plagued by workforce shortages. Some
manufacturing companies have responded by offering candidates incentives
traditionally given to business executives, like bonuses and relocation
packages.  Read More...
http://www.workforceusa.net/article_det.php?article_id=637
 
US manufacturers getting desperate for skilled people  
	As the American economy increasingly shifts into its
post-industrial phase, more than 80% of US manufacturers polled last
year report they are experiencing a shortage of skilled workers.  As
lower-level factory jobs are outsourced abroad, and as experienced baby
boomers retire, skilled crafts workers such as welders, electricians or
machinists are increasingly in demand--and in short supply.  Read
More...  http://www.workforceusa.net/article_det.php?article_id=727

Training, Retention and Competitiveness of Manufacturing Workers
	The Center for Workforce Success - the training and education
affiliate of The Manufacturing Institute, has released two new "how-to"
guides for workforce professionals. These guides, the third and fourth
in the Center's series Filling America's Jobs,  provide guidance,
practical advice and clear steps for businesses interested in reducing
their turnover and increasing productivity among their entry- and
supervisory-level staff. The Center has drawn examples of good practice
from the National Associaton of Manufacturers (NAM) membership and has
created real-world tools to help manufacturers and their associations
solve some of their most challenging workforce problems.  Read More...
http://www.workforceusa.net/resource_list.php?res_auto_id=2914
 
State Training and Education Policies and Statistics (STEPS)
Clearinghouse  
	The STEPS Clearinghouse contains quantitative and qualitative
policy information to assist advocates, researchers and policymakers.
The state-specific resources guide gives access to any state's workforce
system, including links to required state plans and reports, and a
printable summary of funding, participant and performance data from each
state's workforce system.  Read More...
http://www.workforceusa.net/resource_list.php?res_auto_id=2925
 
2005 Skills Gap Report: A Survey of the American Manufacturing Workforce

	The National Association of Manufacturers' Manufacturing
Institute/Center for Workforce Success teamed up with Deloitte LLP to
administer the fourth in a series of surveys designed to learn about
manufacturers' human capital strategies and the challenges they
encounter. This report details the findings of their survey and the
potential impact on the American manufacturing industry.  Read More...
http://www.workforceusa.net/resource_list.php?res_auto_id=2952
 
Lost in Translation  
	English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs in New
York state are not keeping up with the demand posed by a growing number
of new immigrants, according to this in-depth report from the Center for
an Urban Future. Among the report's conclusions: "An investment in ESOL
instruction is an investment in workforce development: improving the
English language skills of new labor market entrants strengthens not
just their own earning power, but the local economy as a whole."  Read
More...  http://www.workforceusa.net/resource_list.php?res_auto_id=2991
 
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>From PEN Weekly NewsBlast for December 15, 2006

http://www.publiceducation.org/newsblast_current.asp
HOW TO BRING SCHOOLS INTO 21st CENTURY
For the past five years, the national conversation on education has
focused on reading scores, math tests and closing the "achievement gap"
between social classes. This week a new public conversation will burst
onto the front page, when the New Commission on the Skills of the
American Workforce, a high-powered, bipartisan assembly of education
secretaries, business leaders and a former governor releases a blueprint
for rethinking American education from pre-K to 12 and beyond to better
prepare students to thrive in the global economy. While that report
includes some controversial proposals, there is nonetheless a remarkable
consensus among educators and business and policy leaders on one key
conclusion: we need to bring what we teach and how we teach into the
21st century. Right now we're aiming too low. Competency in reading and
math -- the focus of so much No Child Left Behind testing -- is the
meager minimum. Scientific and technical skills are, likewise, utterly
necessary but insufficient. Today's economy demands not only a
high-level competence in the traditional academic disciplines but also
what might be called 21st century skills. Here's what they are: Knowing
more about the world; Thinking outside the box; Becoming smarter about
new sources of information; and Developing good people skills. Can our
public schools, originally designed to educate workers for agrarian life
and industrial-age factories, make the necessary shifts?
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/10/time.cover.tm/index.html
see also: Tough Choices or Tough Times, Executive Summary
http://skillscommission.org/pdf/exec_sum/ToughChoices_EXECSUM.pdf

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>From The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER)

[Australia] http://www.ncver.edu.au/
December 13, 2006 Newsletter
http://www.ncver.edu.au/newsevents/news/issue_149.html

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NEW NCES REPORT! - Dropout Rates in the United States: 2004
	This report builds upon a series of National Center for
Education Statistics (NCES) reports on high school dropout and
completion rates that began in 1988. It presents estimates of rates for
2004, and provides data about trends in dropout and completion rates
over the last three decades (1972-2004), including characteristics of
dropouts and completers in these years. Among other findings, the report
shows that in students living in low-income families were approximately
four times more likely to drop out of high school between 2003 and 2004
than were their peers from high-income families. Focusing on indicators
of on-time graduation from public high schools, the averaged freshman
graduation rate for the 3 most recent years for which data are available
shows an increase from 72.6 percent for
2001-02 to 73.9 percent for 2002-03 to 74.3 percent for 2003-04.
To download, view and print the publication as a PDF file, please visit:
http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2007024

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