Review of literature: workplace English language and literacy: report prepared for Strategic Analysis and Evaluation Group, Department of Education, Science and Training

The purpose of this review is to inform an evaluation of the Australian Government’s Workplace English Language and Literacy Programme (WELL) being conducted by the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST). WELL has been a key strategy to address literacy and numeracy workforce needs in the workplace in Australia since 1991. The project team undertook a comprehensive literature search which was then appraised for its relevance to the four research questions guiding the evaluation. These covered the needs of workbased literacy programmes; their impact; performance measurement; and the extent of literature specifically dealing with WELL. In the course of this work the team conducted a gap analysis designed to assist DEST’s second phase of the evaluation. In addition, [the National Centre for Vocational Education Research] NCVER offers a concept for a future modelling exercise which could capture the quantum economic impacts of the WELL programme. An analysis of the mentions of the WELL programme in the literature reinforced the high regard held for the programme and the many outcomes that accrue to the individual participants and their workplaces. The gap analysis undertaken as part of this literature review identified a need to undertake further work evaluating specific WELL funded initiatives, as well as measuring the outcomes and impacts of workplace literacy programmes.

Published excerpt.

The WELL evaluation report is indexed at TD/TNC 89.713.

The purpose of this review is to inform an evaluation of the Australian Government’s Workplace English Language and Literacy Programme (WELL) being conducted by the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST). WELL has been a key strategy to address literacy and numeracy workforce needs in the workplace in Australia since 1991. The project team undertook a comprehensive literature search which was then appraised for its relevance to the four research questions guiding the evaluation. These covered the needs of workbased literacy programmes; their impact; performance ...  [+] Show more