Introduction
Train Ontario 2 was a Ministry field training initiative that was developed by the QUILL Network to help LBS Managers and Program Administrators get a clear picture of what it means to manage a literacy delivery agency well so that the needs of employment-bound learners are met in the best possible way. Participants examined five key areas of agency responsibility to increase common understanding, identify good practice and develop some important skills.
Participants explored five key areas of agency responsibility:
- Program Policies and Procedures
- Strategic Planning and Coordination
- Marketing, Outreach and Partnership Building
- Supporting Practitioners
- Program Evaluation
The question of the day was, “What do agencies need to know and be able to do (in each area) in order to best serve learners with employment goals?”
Now, two years later, we see how the Train Ontario training for both practitioners and managers was strategically timed. In 2006, through a Labour Market Agreement between the federal and provincial governments, the Literacy and Basic Skills Program became one of a number of programs and services in a new integrated, employment training system called Employment Ontario. With Train Ontario 1 & 2 still somewhat fresh, managers are in a good position to sharpen the focus on employment training in their agencies.
The units that are contained here represent the best information, ideas and examples from Train Ontario 2 and the field, and provide a good foundation for an expanding role inEmployment Ontario.
Unit Outlines
1. Program Policies and Procedures
- Understanding Policies and Procedures
- About Mission Statements
- What Polices and Procedures are Necessary?
- How to Write Policies and Procedures
- Policies and Procedures to Support Employment Goals
- Examples from the Field
2. Strategic Planning and Coordination
- Evidence of Good practice in Program Planning
- Learning What the Needs Are
- Local Labour Market Research
- Incorporating Workforce Literacy
- Examples of Innovative Programming
3. Marketing, Outreach and Partnership Building
- Introduction
- Global Statement
- What is Marketing
- Service Marketing
- The Marketing Cycle
- Tips on Target Marketing
- Promotion
- Marketing Tips
- Partnerships
- Good Practice
- Summary
4. Supporting Practitioners
- Evidence of Good Practice
- Examples from the Field
- How to Know What Practitioners Need
- What Managers Really Need to Know About What Employers Want
- What Managers Really Need to Know About Workforce Literacy in Their Programs
- What Managers Really Need to Know About a Continuum of Learning for WFL
- What Managers Really Need to Know About How to Meet Practitioner Needs
- Essential Resources
5. Program Evaluation
- Intro
- Evidence of Good Practice
- Uses of Program Outcome Findings by Agencies
- Purpose of Evaluation
- Conducting Program Evaluation
PLEASE NOTE: In order to ensure the continuing accuracy of information about important areas of agency responsibility, the content for this course is under review. A completion date is set for December 2011.
