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This chapter examines the evolution of workplace literacy as part of the wider adult literacy and adult education policy context in Australia. It undertakes to provide a discourse analysis of the workplace, as a key focus and locus of literacy policy and practice. It discusses how knowledge about the workplace has been constructed, and the consequence of this construction within the context of the 1991 government report 'Words at work: literacy needs in the workplace'. A critical examination of the report's construction and legitimisation of certain 'truths' is given from a post-structuralist perspective, and the conclusion reached that the report's underlying discourse needs to be challenged.

The volume of collected works is indexed at TD/TNC 75.295. Selected chapters are indexed from TD/TNC 75.296 to TD/TNC 75.299. Show less

This paper reports on a study that explored the perceptions of community service providers about the literacy and numeracy needs of disadvantaged clients and the implications of these different perceptions on the relationship between literacy and local, national and international need for individuals and communities to be adaptable, responsive to change, proactive and confident in planning for their futures. Findings suggest that: while a series of networks in service provision existed, these were poorly coordinated and resourced; sharing 'vernacular' literacy skill relied on key mentors and 'trusted brokers' whose skills may not be still absolutely reliable or current; and that 'vernacular' literacy skill relates largely to the identification with the community and that literacy provision is well suited to remaining within community contexts. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of the findings for policy, practice and further research. Show less

This report is concerned with adult literacy policy and research, and seeks to investigate what initiatives have been undertaken in recent years, and how they have been designed to improve vocational and lifelong learning opportunities. It is also interested in whether new program and policy developments in the UK and elsewhere will have an effect on the current Australian situation. The authors hope that by revisiting past perceptions of adult literacy in Australia, and considering them alongside the present situation, they may arrive at a more informed understanding of future possibilities. The first stage of the project focuses on the last decade of adult numeracy and literacy policy developed by the Australian Federal government. The report then goes on to discuss several key themes associated with adult literacy, looks at what has and hasn’t worked in improving vocational and/or lifelong learning outcomes, and finally examines overseas practice in literacy policy and programs which might be influential on Australia. Show less

What are the many ways in which people individually and collectively actually use literacy in their everyday lives? This study was sited in a low socio-economic area called Self-Help City and aimed to explore and report the perceptions of community service providers about the literacy and numeracy needs of their disadvantaged clients. The second aim of the project was to explore and comment on the implications of these different perceptions on the relationship between literacy and local, national and international need for individuals and communities to be adaptable, responsive to change, proactive and confident in planning for their futures. Participants were employees, volunteers and clients of the selected community-based organisations as well as the people within the wider community identified as being valuable informants. They included representatives from community-based organisations, welfare officers, volunteers and clients of community organisations. Findings indicated, that there were a number of ways in which people operated informally within diverse communities of practice that were characterised by a mutual exchange of skills and practices, including literacy. Secondly, that there was an extensive but poorly coordinated and resourced community network of service provision for disadvantaged client groups. Thirdly, that while service providers were generally conscious of the implications of lower literacy skills in relation to a plethora of clients’ problems, these difficulties were further compounded by: a loss of unemployment services; increasing unemployment and poverty; and unlimited training opportunities in the local context. These issues co-existed in a political/funding climate of heavy focus on employment related outcomes. Show less