$200,000 invested to help 10 small- and medium-sized employers upgrade workers' essential skills
New Brunswick is investing $200,000 in a workplace learning pilot project designed to upgrade the essential skills of workers in small and medium-sized businesses.
Margaret-Ann Blaney, Training and Employment Development Minister, said the province wants to encourage more employers to invest in workplace training for the benefit of their employees and their workplace.
“This project aims to enhance many of the essential skills workers need today to meet the ever-changing demands of our knowledge-based economy,” said Blaney.
How the money will be used
The Saint John Learning Exchange and the University of New Brunswick’s College of Extended Learning will carry out the pilot project.
They will conduct learning assessments, design learning plans, deliver training and conduct a project evaluation.
Anne Higgins, program director for the College of Extended Learning’s professional development division, said the program will help employees further develop their skills in written and oral communication, problem solving, teamwork and adaptability. It will also be designed to help workers learn an organization’s newly implemented technologies or safety standards.
The province said workplace learning is a non-traditional approach to education which includes a basic education and upgrading program for workers. These programs integrate specific workplace issues and materials into the curriculum. Training takes place at the work site, fully or partially on work time, it said.
The pilot project will involve about 10 employers in the Saint John region. The project’s mandate is to produce tools and approaches that can be used in the development of in-house training programs with small and medium-sized enterprises. Learning programs will be tailored to meet the needs of both employers and their employees. Workers will be able to participate outside their workplace in the organizational needs assessment process, information sessions and classes.
The pilot project began last summer with research into best practices in workplace education. Employer recruitment activities began in October and the program is expected to wrap up next September.
Margaret-Ann Blaney, Training and Employment Development Minister, said the province wants to encourage more employers to invest in workplace training for the benefit of their employees and their workplace.
“This project aims to enhance many of the essential skills workers need today to meet the ever-changing demands of our knowledge-based economy,” said Blaney.
How the money will be used
The Saint John Learning Exchange and the University of New Brunswick’s College of Extended Learning will carry out the pilot project.
They will conduct learning assessments, design learning plans, deliver training and conduct a project evaluation.
Anne Higgins, program director for the College of Extended Learning’s professional development division, said the program will help employees further develop their skills in written and oral communication, problem solving, teamwork and adaptability. It will also be designed to help workers learn an organization’s newly implemented technologies or safety standards.
The province said workplace learning is a non-traditional approach to education which includes a basic education and upgrading program for workers. These programs integrate specific workplace issues and materials into the curriculum. Training takes place at the work site, fully or partially on work time, it said.
The pilot project will involve about 10 employers in the Saint John region. The project’s mandate is to produce tools and approaches that can be used in the development of in-house training programs with small and medium-sized enterprises. Learning programs will be tailored to meet the needs of both employers and their employees. Workers will be able to participate outside their workplace in the organizational needs assessment process, information sessions and classes.
The pilot project began last summer with research into best practices in workplace education. Employer recruitment activities began in October and the program is expected to wrap up next September.
