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Lessons Learned from a State-Funded Workplace Literacy Program

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Author Info
Kevin Hollenbeck () (W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research)
Bridget Timmeney (W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research)
Abstract

Findings from an evaluation of a workplace literacy program funded by the State of Indiana are presented. Working with employers, providers were given considerable latitude to design their own training regimens. The state awarded certificates to workers who achieved certain levels of proficiency in reading, math, critical thinking, problem solving (assessed by CASAS), and computer literacy (certified by IC3). The evaluation relied on qualitative and quantitative data. Multiple site visits were undertaken and a survey of participants (n = 1800), learning gains, and earnings histories were quantitatively analyzed. Key findings include a significant interest in college attendance by incumbent workers, higher-than-expected levels of literacy in pre-assessments, little reliance on contextualization, and the importance of a program champion and supervisory support at workplaces. Business return was not formally measured, but employers and workers reported significant morale gains and frequent productivity gains.

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Publisher Info
Paper provided by W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research in its series Staff Working Papers with number 09-146.

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Date of creation: Mar 2009
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Handle: RePEc:upj:weupjo:09-146

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Related research
Keywords: workplace; literacy; training; ojt; on-the-job training; hollenbeck;

Find related papers by JEL classification:
J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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This page was last updated on 2009-11-13.


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