Workforce Literacy and Essential Skills (WLES)

WLES Project Description
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Over the years, we’ve noticed that many Literacy Victoria learners are highly motivated to work but lack the necessary literacy and/or employment skills needed to successfully keep jobs.  Literacy Victoria believes that with some extra training and support from us, they can become loyal and long-term employees.  

We therefore created the Workforce Literacy and Essential Skills Program (WLES), which will help approximately 100 learners do well in the world of work.  This is a two-year pilot project that will find ways to help Canadians with lower levels of literacy successfully prepare for and integrate into the workplace. 

Approximately forty percent (40%) of adults in BC (1 million people) have literacy levels below what is needed for success for today’s jobs.  This is a problem for employers, as well as employees, as it affects safety, productivity, turnover, and the ability to adapt to change. 

WLES provides qualified adults in BC’s Capital Regional District with training that prepares them for entry-level jobs in hospitality, retail food sales, marine maintenance/repair and construction industries. 

Our Trainees

WLES trainees receive training for specific entry-level jobs in each sector. They receive instruction and support during three stages: 
a.    Pre-employment training (including intake/assessment): 4 – 8 weeks 
b.    Transition to employment (job search): 4+ weeks 
c.    Adjustment to a new job (until they pass their probationary period): 3 – 6 months 

WLES teaches the skills needed to prepare for a job, find a job, and keep a job.  Unfortunately we cannot guarantee that trainees will get a job when they have finished the program, and we are not a job-search service. 

Costs

There is no cost to trainees, but a large time commitment is required (See Referral Package, Part A). Trainees are not paid by WLES while they participate in training. 

Who is eligible?

WLES is a program that helps people with low literacy and Essential Skills integrate into the workforce. Literacy and Essential Skill levels must be the main barriers to employment. It is intended for people whose main written and spoken language is English.  This is not an ESL [English as a Second Language] program. The referral form includes a checklist that will help identify literacy issues.   Other eligibility criteria are set according to the needs of our partner employers and their job requirements. 

What is the Hospitality Training Program?  

The Hospitality Training Program is the first WLES training program, launched in May 2010.  It is for people who want to work (full or part-time) as housekeepers or kitchen steward’s helpers. The training covers specific job skills, as well as thinking and problem solving, oral communication, safety, reading, document use, writing, computer use, job search skills, time management, stress management, working with others and attitudes needed for success. Trainees should understand that hospitality work is seasonal, and that they may be laid off for a few months during the winter.

How is training delivered? 

Literacy Victoria tutors and certified adult educators help trainees complete practical, hands-on training modules that include basic literacy, computer use and Essential Skills. Some of the training is delivered in a group and some is one-to-one.  For the most part, trainees are able to progress at their own pace. Trainees can repeat the learning activities in each training module until they are proficient. 

Who is eligible and how do people apply?

There will be a separate call for trainees as each sector program is launched, but we take referrals any time. Someone in the community such as a caseworker, teacher, tutor, minister or other helper, must refer applicants. The Referral Package contains three parts:
      Part A — Program Information and Application Instructions 
      Part B — Referral Form for Agencies
      Part C — Trainee Application

Referral packages are also available at the Literacy Victoria office, 930A Yates Street, Victoria, BC.

Our Workforce Literacy Tutors

New Workforce Literacy and Essential Skills Tutors are welcome at any time. Tutor training sessions are held each time a new training program is launched.

Remember how it felt to start your first job? Excited and a little scary at the same time? Volunteer to help a motivated adult learner navigate the ups and downs of preparing for, and successfully transitioning to, an entry-level position in the workforce. You will be a major contributor to building their employment skills as well as their self-confidence.

Literacy Victoria will teach you to deliver practical, hands-on learning modules, geared to these entry-level positions, that include basic literacy, computer use and essential job skills. Your contribution and learning support will reach far beyond one learner, however. You will also be helping Literacy Victoria develop a national model program that can help learners throughout Canada.

To volunteer, please complete this application:  WLES Tutor Application.

For information read the WLES Tutor Position Description.

Mr. John Duncan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, announces funding for the Workforce and Essential Skills program (August 20, 2009).

- News Release (English)
- News Release (French)
- Literacy Victoria Backgrounder

We are grateful to the Office of Literacy and Essential Skills (OLES), Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) for their full funding of this national pilot project.