Workplace Education Program

A Collaborative Model for Education in the Workplace:Capilano University

Capilano University has been delivering workplace education programs for several years. Working in collaboration with labour unions and worksite management personnel, we have developed a unique model for education in the workplace that focuses on the educational needs of working people.

At Capilano University, we wanted to provide an opportunity for working people to learn how to learn again, and we knew that peers who are life-long learners themselves are the best role models. We also wanted to connect the workers to the post-secondary system and to offer the expertise and resources that are available from public education. In this model, learners receive the best of both approaches: the use of peer tutors and university instructors.

Five Major Objectives of Capilano University's Workplace Education Model

1. Accessibility: to facilitate access to basic education by offering a program in the workplace and, as much as possible, during working hours, at no cost to participants and without loss of wages.
2. Use of Peer Tutors: to provide a friendly, non-threatening learning environment by having workers helping workers to acheive their educational goals.
3. Relevance: to enhance learning by offering a program that is based on participants' needs and goals and that makes use of learning resources that are relevant to their lives and workplace.
4. University Support: to provide support, expertise and resources through the post-secondary public education system.
5. Joint Union-Management Approach: to provide a framework for a joint union-management collaboration in the planning and implementation of basic education in the workplace.

What does it look like?

In a classroom or learning center at the workplace, peer tutors work with learners to achieve their education and career goals. Each learner develops a plan for their own learning with support from their tutor and the university instructor. The peer tutors receive formal tutor training from Capilano University instructors, as well as on-going training and support throughout the year.

Our workplace education program is designed to help workers improve their reading, writing, math, and communication skills. The program can enable the learners to meet a broad range of goals, including:

• improving skills in reading, writing and math so they can take further programs to upgrade their general skills
• upgrading language and math skills so they are able to bid on other jobs within their workplace
• meeting personal goals such as helping children with homework
• receiving support in order to complete apprenticeships or trades certificates
• improving critical thinking skills so they can participate more fully as democratic citizens

Capilano University has provided support for workplace education in a number of sectors. In the healthcare sector, we have worked with the Hospital Employees' Union and management personnel at various sites. In the forestry and oil refinery sectors, we have worked with the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers' Union, the Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada and management personnel at the sites.

The flexibility of the model means that it can be uniquely tailored to meet the needs and resources of different workplaces and sectors. As a result, our model for education in the workplace is continuously evolving.

Contact

To implement a program in your workplace or for more information, contact:
Community Development and Outreach Department
Capilano College
Tel: 604.984.1759
0r Pat Hodgson 604 983 7581