Andrea,
 
I was surprised to read your suggestions - they are closely aligned with our
approach to soft skill development.
 
Our niche is the valid, legal and predictive measurement of people's soft
skills - and our customers have done a great deal of work with transitioning
prisoners.
 
We use video simulations as the vehicle to identify people's strengths and
skills' deficits. If an overview of this technology - or information about
the program widely used with this customer based - would be of interest,
please let me know. I'd also be pleased to share with you examples of our
discussion situations, should that be useful. 
 
While our programs are mainly delivered via DVD or VHS tapes, our most basic
program can be test-driven over the Internet. 
 
al lesure
 
 
 
Alan B. Lesure, President
Learning Resources, Inc.
1117 E. Putnam Avenue, # 260
Riverside, CT 06878
 
Phone: 203-637-5047
Fax:     203-637-2786
E-Mail: alesure at learning-resources.com
<blocked::mailto:alesure at learning-resources.com> 

  _____  

From: workplace-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:workplace-bounces at nifl.gov] On
Behalf Of Andrea Rothney
Sent: Friday, September 25, 2009 1:26 PM
To: The Workplace Literacy Discussion List
Subject: [Workplace 1960] Re: Jail Literacy Programs Workplace Literacy
inJail



Re: Ideas for JAIL work.

 

Based on some wildly positive experience in jail programs, I strongly
recommend that Jail programming should INCLUDE DISCUSSION relating to
WORKPLACE SOFT SKILLS.  This can dove-tail into ABE material. 

 

BACKGROUND:  

In Michigan, we have been piloting a program called Preparing Workers for
21st Century Employment  that combines workforce soft skills (lots of
situational judgment) with ABE.  I used it at jails and was overwhelmed by
the positive reception and apparent effect. 

 

All the materials are intended to include a discussion component.  This was
magic in the jail setting.  My observation/hypothesis supposes that the
opportunity for inmates, among a group of peers, to tap into and represent
another side of themselves, (their productive citizen-worker potential
and/or experiences), even while still IN that jail setting, had enormous
positive effect on self esteem, MOTIVATION, and HOPE relevant to doing well
after release.   -and in jails, cutting recidivism is paramount.  It was
powerful stuff.

 

We know, from sociology research, that discussion among peers is a potent
delivery system for changing attitudes and behaviors.  This curriculum
facilitated positive, peer-group, situational judgment-based discussions
involving critical workplace soft skills. It gets an A+ in the developing
judgment and soft skills part.  As for the academic content: if used
skillfully, also lots of potential. 

 

The program has three ABE-related components:  Workplace WRITING - just
starting Pilot phase; fluency-based READING - out in official form;  and
MATH numeracy [practical problem solving with basic skills] - at mid point
in pilot process.  The materials and activities combine "3Rs" development
with excellent workplace scenarios designed to advance situational judgment
ability around desirable, work-readiness soft skills. The skills fall into
categories: Acquire and Use Information, Use Systems, Work with Others, Use
Technology Appropriately, Know How to Learn, Take Responsibility, Allocate
Resources, Solve Problems, and Self Management.  These soft skills, BTW,
match up quite a bit with those included in the NCRC program (Nat'l Career
Readiness Certificate).

 

MATERIALS

My ardent advice is to look for materials that allow you to deliver ABE tied
into DISCUSSION about workplace scenarios requiring situational judgment
calls related to workplace soft skills.  .magic!

 

Our materials are NOT Copy protected, but I don't have the resources to
distribute them.  What I CAN do is take in requests for material
(andrearothney at nwm.cog.mi.us)  which I will compile and then, later, respond
to if I am able to provide material, or pass along to someone who can
provide  - but no promises.

 

 

--Andrea Rothney

NW Michigan Adult Education

 

 

 

 

 

From: workplace-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:workplace-bounces at nifl.gov] On
Behalf Of Phyllis Utley
Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 6:53 PM
To: The Workplace Literacy Discussion List
Subject: [Workplace 1958] Workplace Literacy in Jail

 



Does anyone work in a jail or correctional setting ??? 

 

I am the new Vocational Transition Specialist for the Mecklenburg County
Sheriff's Department. I am looking for best practices tools and resources in
emotional quotient, social skills, in light of employment readiness to
determine what classes are most needed for our population as they prepare to
re-enter or enter the workplace with their present charges or convictions. 

 

Phyllis Utley

828-242-5806

 

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