Durham Region Local Training Board

Promoting Literacy for a Healthy Economy

This Guide (click here to read) was created during a local “Promotion of Essential Skills Training in the Workplace” campaign that took place in the first quarter of 2007.

The campaign, conducted in partnership between the Literacy Network of Durham Region, Durham College and the Durham Region Local Training Board, featured a breakfast series for employers, 680 News radio and Metroland advertising, and the development of resources for employers, including this booklet. Additional hard copies of the Guide are available through the Local Board office.

It was written for a broad employer audience who may:

see the literacy level of their workforce as a competitive advantage and want to remain competitive;
face significant technological or internal change and worry about the ability of their labour force to cope with such change;
identify literacy as an issue or concern in their organization;
experience high rates of employee turnover for performance reasons; or
employ significant numbers of employees having high school education or less.

It presents evidence to suggest that organizations, individuals and communities can all benefit from essential skill upgrading in the workplace. The positive results have a ripple effect, enhancing the economic future of employees, the organization and Canada.

Perhaps most importantly, the Guide points to locally available resources that can assist those in need, and that includes any employer in Durham Region. If you would like to learn more, please contact the Local Board office.