NALA and

Workplace Basic
Education
Developments
from 1998 to
2009

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Contents
1998 ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
1999 ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
2000 ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
2001 ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
2002...................................................................................................................................................... 5
2003 ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
2004 ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
2005 ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
2006 ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
2007 ...................................................................................................................................................... 9
2008-09 .............................................................................................................................................. 10
Bibliography....................................................................................................................................... 11

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 NALA and Workplace Basic Education Developments from 1998 to 2009

1998
NALA began to research workplace literacy in the UK and internationally.

The Green Paper on Adult Education was published. NALA’s response highlighted the need for
workplace literacy in addressing the literacy needs of Irish adults. In particular, NALA made
recommendations to establish a dedicated fund which employers and trade unions, could access
and to initiate co-financing of paid educational leave for learners participating in literacy courses.

NALA initiated the pilot project, Return to Education, for people on community employment (CE)
with FÁS Community Employment services. This was the first project that addressed the literacy
needs of CE participants through an intensive model of 270 hours (9 hours per week over 30 weeks).

1999
NALA drafted a briefing paper on workplace literacy. We established links with trade unions and
employer organisations to discuss the development of workplace literacy programmes. We
lobbied Government and relevant stakeholders to address the issue.

We responded to requests for information and explored appropriate solutions with employers and
the business sector. We were contacted by Baileys (now United Distillers and Vintners) to discuss
literacy needs of their employees.

In May NALA organised the first-ever course in Ireland on Workplace Basic Skills Training. The
course was delivered by Lancaster University and accredited by the UK Open College of the
Northwest (OCNW). There were 12 participants. The course was designed to familiarise literacy
tutors with the changing workplace, issues for basic skills and strategies for introducing and
implementing programmes in this context. In September NALA held a strategy meeting with the
participants and Chris Holland from the Workplace Basic Skills Training Network, UK, to see what
developments were happening and future action needed to be taken.

The pilot project of the Return to Education continued in the first half of the year and was
evaluated by an external evaluator. The evaluation report Evaluation of the NALA Return to
Education course in Mullingar and Ballyfermot was published. It was decided to expand it to 15
programmes in September. NALA’s role changed then where we facilitated local agreement
between the local FÁS region and the local VEC Adult Literacy Provider. An external evaluator was
commissioned by NALA to undertake an evaluation of this phase.

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2000
Awareness
NALA continued to raise awareness of workplace literacy as a key response to addressing adult
literacy needs in Ireland. We organised a Workplace Literacy seminar on 25th October 2000. The
objectives were to inform literacy practitioners of current developments in Ireland and the UK.
The seminar was attended by 70 people including adult literacy practitioners such as organisers
and tutors.

Policy
Workplace basic education was highlighted for the first time in many Government policy papers.
The White Paper Learning for Life (2000) cited adult literacy as its top priority and in particular that
the ‘expansion of the Adult Literacy service will include a focus on expansion of workplace literacy
initiatives in collaboration with industry’. The national partnership agreement Programme for
Prosperity and Fairness (2000-2003) dedicated a specific section to lifelong learning and stated
that ‘the Department (of Education and Science) will work closely with employers and trade
unions to promote literacy for those in the workplace’. The Report on In-Company Training by the
Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (2000) identified as its first recommendation that ‘the
Department of Education and Science, IBEC and ICTU should develop a literacy and numeracy
initiative suitable for delivery in the workplace’.

The National Training Fund was legislated for by Government ensuring that 0.8% of employer PRSI
goes into a training fund for employers to access.

Models of development
NALA set up the first ever workplace literacy programme in a private sector company, in United
Distillers and Vintners (UDV) Operations Ireland Ltd. NALA appointed a co-ordinator who began
raising awareness amongst management and operative. 8 people were recruited and attended a
10 week taster programme.

NALA was contacted by the Local Authority National Partnership Advisory Group (LANPAG) to
discuss literacy needs of Local Authority employees. From this NALA developed a proposal to run
a pilot project, Return to Learning, in 5 local authorities and secured funding from LANPAG and
the Department of Education and Science. NALA co-ordinated this project and facilitated a
partnership approach between each Local Authority and their local VEC Adult Literacy Service.

Phase 2 of the Return to Education project continued in the first half of this year in 15 locations.
The evaluation report, Implementation Guide for NALA/FÁS/VEC Return to Education Programmes,
was published. This model was then expanded and 33 programmes began in autumn 2000.

Training
NALA organised the delivery of a second course in Workplace Basic Skills Training (delivered by
Lancaster University and accredited by the UK Open College of the Northwest (OCNW)) for
experienced literacy tutors was. There were 12 participants.

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2001
Workplace Basic Education Strategy Group
NALA set up a Workplace Literacy Strategy Group consisting of key stakeholders including
Department of Education and Science, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, employer
organisations, trade unions, FÁS and practitioners.

Models of development
The UDV Operations Ireland Ltd. pilot workplace literacy programme was extended for a further 5
weeks. The evaluation report was very positive and management agreed to extend the programme
for the current participants and run another one for other interested participants in 2002.

The Return to Learning project in the Local Authorities was piloted in five locations, Mayo, Meath,
Offaly, South Dublin and Tipperary South Riding. In total 120 people participated in the 5 pilot
sites. An external evaluator was commissioned to undertake the evaluation and draw up
implementation guidelines.

Training
NALA organised another Workplace Basic Skills Training for experienced literacy tutors in Spring
2001 in Dublin. There were 12 participants.

Research
NALA commissioned a research project, with funding from the Combat Poverty Agency, to develop
a Workplace Literacy Policy and Guidelines for Irish Employers.

2002
Workplace Basic Education Strategy
The Workplace Literacy Strategy Group discussed, developed and agreed a Workplace Literacy
Strategy document. The Strategy aimed to raise awareness, influence policy, gain support, prioritise
those in the workplace with the lowest skills and establish a mechanism for the development of
workplace basic education programmes. The document included approaches and models of
workplace literacy programmes and an implementation plan.

The Workplace Literacy Strategy document was submitted to both Government Departments
(Education and Science + Enterprise, Trade and Employment) and the Task Force on Lifelong
Learning. The document was referenced in the report from the Task Force, the new social
partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress, among many other national policy documents.

The Minister for State, Sile deValera, launched the Workplace Literacy Strategy at a photo shoot.

Models of development
The evaluation report of the Return to Learning project in the Local Authorities, Evaluation report
and implementation guidelines, was published in February 2002. Following on from this, the phased
development of this programme into the remaining 29 Local Authorities took place.

Training
NALA organised the delivery of another Workplace Basic Skills Training for experienced literacy
tutors in February and April 2002 in Dublin. 16 participants successfully completed the course.

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Research
The research project to develop a Workplace Literacy Policy and Guidelines for Irish Employers
was completed.

2003
NALA organised a half day seminar, “Closing the Gap” in December 2003 on the issues and
solutions surrounding Workplace Basic Education. The event was chaired by media commentator
Olivia O'Leary and was addressed by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, TD and a number of UK and Irish
experts from business. These included Chris James, Executive Director of the Cleaning Industry
National Training Organisation. NALA produced a brochure titled “Closing the Gap” which was
launched at the seminar.

Models of development
NALA made a proposal to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment under the In-
Company Training measure (funded by the European Social Fund) for a project to devise a WBE
model for SME’s. This proposal was approved and was the first initiative of its kind to address basic
skills in a small and medium business context.

NALA initiated a meeting with Skillnets to discuss the extent that their Networks were dealing
with workplace literacy needs. From this Skillnets decided to put a special call for proposals
around low basic skills, in particular to deal with awareness raising, training for trainers, training
for employees and research + development. NALA supported this initiative.

The Return to Learning project continued from strength the strength. The 34 Local Authorities
and VECs continued to work together to develop these programmes and NALA supported the roll
out where needed.

Training
NALA worked with Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) to design the first Irish accredited
workplace basic education national certificate module for experienced literacy tutors.

2004
There was still no dedicated workplace basic education fund so NALA spent time working with
different sectors to identify needs and develop models and approaches to addressing basic skills
needs in the workplace.

Models of development

NALA began work on the first year of a two year In-company Training project, SMART (skills
management and relevant training). This project aimed to devise a WBE model for SME’s. Our local
partner was Monaghan VEC who employed a local co-ordinator. Work began on meeting with
relevant organisations and businesses and profiling companies. By the end of 2004, seven companies
were accessing the SMART programme, including hotels, joinery companies, furniture and food
processing companies.

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NALA contacted the head of FÁS Services to Business to discuss if and how their section was
addressing workplace basic education and in particular how the one-day Safe Pass training
programme was catering for the literacy and numeracy needs of participants. From this NALA
made a proposal to FÁS STB to develop a literacy support model for companies in 2 regions with a
view to identifying needs and delivering training to employees with literacy and numeracy issues
within the framework of the FÁS Competency Development Programme (CDP) and with the aim of
utilising the existing network of Training Advisors to access companies together with the expertise
of NALA to work with the companies and relevant employees.
The Midlands and Mid-West regions were chosen to participate in the pilot model.

NALA supported the Skillnets networks involved in the low basic skills initiative. In May 2004
NALA did an awareness session with a number of Skillnets network managers, trainers and other
personnel. From this a “Literacy and Low Basic Skills working group” was set up. As a result of this
Skillnets organised a call for proposals for special activities to address low basic skills in August. 15
Skillnets were successful. These Skillnets proposed a number of activities to take place between
October and end-March 2005. These activities include:
Provision of training
Promote awareness
Train trainers (internal & external) and HR staff
Identify and develop Case Studies in the workplace
Other (such as surveys, video development).

The Local Authority National Partnership Advisory Group (LANPAG) organised an evaluation of the
Return to Learning programme to date. The key purpose of this evaluation was to prepare a
submission for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in Ireland (CIPD) awards.
The Return to Learning programme won the category for lifelong learning.

National developments
NALA met with the Tanáiste, and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms. Mary
Harney, in June 2004, in order to present our recommendation for a dedicated WBE fund. In the
budget estimates, the Government announced a Workplace Basic Education Fund (WBEF), set up
under the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment, with a budget of €2m for 2005. The
fund was given to FÁS to manage, guided by a National Steering Group consisting of
representatives from relevant stakeholders including FÁS; Department of Education & Science /
IVEA; NALA; ICTU; SFA; ISME and CIF.

Training
The first Irish accredited workplace basic education national certificate module for experienced
literacy tutors was delivered by WIT.

2005
Models of development

NALA managed the second year of the In-company Training project. An external evaluator was
commissioned to evaluate the project and develop an Employers Guide to Basic Skills. Over the two
year period, 21 groups of employees participated in training. This included 17 groups of learners
within companies and 4 sectoral based courses delivered as a cluster approach.

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NALA began work on the pilot literacy support model for FÁS Services to Business. We recruited
two co-ordinators who began work in May. Over summer 2005, two other regions came on board
(South East and South West) and those co-ordinators were recruited in autumn. NALA delivered
literacy awareness training to STB staff in all 4 pilot regions. The WBEF was branded as Skills for
Work and this pilot project was subsequently funded through that fund. The Belfast Unemployed
Resource Centre (BURC) began work with the remaining 4 FÁS regions to develop learning
advocates and to provide company-based training in literacy, numeracy and lifelong learning.

NALA supported the 15 Skillnets networks involved in the low basic skills initiative. These
activities included:
Promoting awareness
Providing training
Training of trainers (internal & external) and HR staff
Identifying and developing Case Studies in the workplace
Other (such as surveys, video development).

NALA continued to meet with LANPAG re: update on Return to Learning programme. An
evaluation of the programmes to date was published.

National developments
NALA had 2 representatives at the FÁS National Steering Group meeting. NALA submitted a
proposal to develop materials on workplace health and safety to the WBEF. This resource, Safe
and Well, consisted of an interactive CD ROM and print workbook and were very well received.

2006
Models of development

The FÁS Skills for Work pilot project, resourced through the Workplace Basic Education Fund,
experienced its first full year of activity and provided tuition to almost one thousand workers.
NALA, BURC and FÁS worked together to share their models and approaches and systems were
developed for making proposals, documenting and reporting progress.

NALA put in a proposal to Skills for Work to integrate literacy into phase 2 apprenticeship training
programmes. The project aimed to increase the ability of trainees to persist and achieve in FÁS
Phase 2 apprenticeship programmes in Electrical, Carpentry and Plumbing, by identifying and
addressing the core course-related literacy and numeracy needs on an Apprenticeship project.
NALA designed the brief for external expert literacy and numeracy researchers to do skills analysis
record of Phase 2 curriculum in the 3 trades; develop and pilot an assessment tool and produce a
final report. We liaised with this researcher throughout the year.

The Safe and Well resource, consisting of an interactive CD ROM and print workbook, was published
and was very well received. NALA submitted another proposal to develop a workbook that would
cater for employees with very basic literacy and/or language needs. The Steps to Safety resource
was published later in the year.

NALA worked with 3 Skillnets (CATNET (construction industry), South Leinster and Munster
Skillnet (SLM) and TEEU (engineering)) to write a handbook for employers to deal with literacy and

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numeracy in the workplace. These were published in September 2005 called “Everybody’s
Business”.

During the year we also launched the evaluation of the SMART-Workplace Basic Education Model
for Small Medium Enterprises (2006) and An Employers’ Guide to Basic Skills at Work (2006).

National developments

The new social partnership agreement, Towards 2016 - Ten-Year Framework Social Partnership
Agreement, was published stating that “the allocation for the Workplace Basic Education Fund,
aimed at increasing numeracy and literacy skills in the workplace, will be increased.”

NALA participated at the FÁS National Steering Group meetings.

2007
Policy focus

NALA developed a position paper on Paid Learning Leave and actively advocated for resources to
address this issue. 2007 was an election year and we campaigned for paid learning leave
entitlement for employees with less than a Level 4 qualification wishing to improve their literacy
and numeracy.

The National Skills Strategy was published which stated that “basic skills such as literacy, numeracy
and the use of technology should be prioritised and embedded into all publicly funded education
and training provision in so far as possible.”

Models of development

In November 2007 the highly successful Skills for Work pilot came to an end. The innovative pilot
which started in 2005 used a brokerage model to engage individuals and employers in work place
basic education courses. During the life of the project coordinators across Ireland engaged with
1000s of individuals.

NALA’s role in the pilot was to manage the work of 6 of the coordinators as well as being a
member of the work-place basic education fund. Now the pilot has finished FÁS is looking at how
best to role out the brokerage model nationally.

In 2007 NALA concluded an Apprenticeship project looking at the developing a tool which can be
used by tutors delivering apprenticeships to identify literacy and numeracy issues early on in the
course. The aim is to identify needs as early as possible so support mechanisms can be put in
place allowing more apprentices to be successful in their course. An induction pack, which
incorporates literacy and numeracy was developed alongside a detailed report.

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2008-09
NALA continues its research and lobbying for Paid Learning Leave.

Apprenticeship project
NALA is liaising with FÁS to develop a full scale pilot of the tool and support mechanisms following on
from the production of the induction pack.

NALA participates at the FÁS National Steering Group meetings.

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Bibliography
Conboy, P. (2000), Implementation Guide for NALA/FÁS/VEC Return to Education Programmes.
Dublin: NALA.

Conboy, P. (2002), The Return to Learning Initiative: Evaluation report and implementation
guidelines. Dublin: NALA.

Department of Education and Science (1998), Green paper on adult education: Adult Education in
an era of lifelong learning. Dublin: Stationery Office.

Department of Education and Science (2000), Learning for Life: White Paper on Adult Education.
Dublin: Stationery Office.

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (2002), Report from the Task Force on Lifelong
Learning, Dublin: Stationery Office.

Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (2000), Report on In-Company Training by the Expert Group on
Future Skills Needs: Dublin: Expert Group on Future Skills Needs

Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (2007), Tomorrow’s Skills: Towards a National Skills Strategy:
Dublin: Expert Group on Future Skills Needs

Government of Ireland (2000), Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, Dublin: Stationery Office.

Government of Ireland (2003), Programme for Sustaining Progress, Dublin: Stationery Office

Government of Ireland (2006), Towards 2016 - Ten-Year Framework Social Partnership Agreement,
Dublin: Stationery Office.

McArdle, M. (1999), Evaluation of the NALA Return to Education course in Mullingar and
Ballyfermot. Dublin: NALA.

McSkeane, L. (2006), An Employers’ Guide to Basic Skills at Work. Dublin: NALA.

McSkeane, L. (2006), SMART (Skills Management and Relevant Training) Workplace Basic
Education Model for Small and Medium Enterprises. Dublin: NALA.

NALA (2005), Closing the Gap, Dublin: NALA.

NALA & FÁS (2006), Safe and Well, Dublin: NALA & FÁS.

NALA & FÁS (2006), Steps to Safety, Dublin: NALA & FÁS.

NALA (2002), Workplace Basic Education Programmes in Ireland: Approaches and Model for
Implementation, Dublin: NALA

National Engineering Technical Skillnet (2006), Everybody’s Business: Literacy, numeracy and
language in the workplace: Improving your competitiveness, Dublin: Skillnets.

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