capla 2011 11-15-stephens
TRANSCRIPT
SMEs & Informal Workplace
Learning in Canada
Outcomes & Results
2
• New insight about workplace informal learning as
well as new evidence of its growing importance.
• New information about workplace training in small
and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Understanding of factors affecting PLAR
practitioners interested in making inroads into the
workplace.
Question
As a PLAR expert, is it important for you to
understand the factors that influence why and how
businesses decide to invest in workplace learning
(“training”)? Why?
3
RESEARCHby the Centre for Workplace Skills
4
Work-related Informal Learning:
Research and Practice in the Canadian Context
Christine Wihak & Gail Hall, CAPLA
Investing in People:
Effective Work-related Learning in SMEs
The Conference Board of Canada
www.workplaceskills.ca
RESEARCH (coming soon)by the Centre for Workplace Skills
5
Effective Practices in Worker Adjustment
Ingenia Consulting
Making The Connection:
Effective ways to link training needs to organizational goals
Centre for Learning Impact
Labour-led Workplace Learning Practices:
Exemplary Practice from Canada and Abroad
Labour Education Centre
www.workplaceskills.ca
THE CENTRE FOR WORKPLACE SKILLS
6
How can our knowledge of effective workplace skills
development practices help prepare us for a highly adaptable
economy in which:
businesses can adapt efficiently to new technologies, markets and
competitive challenges through better management and
development of their workforces’ skills, and
workers, regardless of gender, ancestry, geographic location, are able
to develop strong basic skills, highly portable qualifications, and
increased employability that can help them weather difficult times in
the job market and seize opportunities in growth sectors, new
occupations, etc.?
WHY FOCUS ON SMEs?
7
SMEs
• Make up the majority of companies in Canada
• Under 50 employees account for almost half of employment
• Account for most most employment growth.
But…
• They do not train as much as larger businesses
• Face proportionately higher costs.
• Are more exposed to problems with skills shortages,
retention, adopting new technology.
• More likely to be focused on short-term survival.
INFORMAL LEARNING
8
The Learning Continuum
9
INFORMAL FORMAL
PROCESS How learning is supported, controlled and assessed
LOCATION & SETTING: whether the environment is designed for
learning, production, socializing, etc.
PURPOSE: whether learning is a primary or secondary focus of
activity, and whether it is controlled by the learner or an external
authority
CONTENT: whether learning outcomes are involve abstract
knowledge and advanced technical skill or development of
everyday, practical skillsH. Colley et al, 2003
Case Studies
10
NURSES IN A MANAGED CARE ENVIRONMENT
WOMEN IN THE IT SECTOR
KNOWLEDGE WORKERS IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR
SCHOOL-TO-WORK TRANSITION IN THE HELPING PROFESSIONS
….
Informal Learning & SMEs
11
• SMEs are reliant on informal learning
• They get better outcomes from informal
learning
• “Growth potential” SMEs see productivity
enhancements through informal learning
Informal Learning:
New Developments
12
Growth of social learning activities
Online Learning
Knowledge Intensive Service Activity (KISA)
(recent OECD research)
Investing in Skills: Effective Work-related Learning in SMEs
The research focused on 4 key questions:
Why do SMEs invest in work-related learning?
What challenges and barriers exist?
What are the keys to success?
How do SMEs measure the impact of their
learning programs?
13
Why do SMEs invest in work-related
learning?
� Enhancing employee competencies
� Supporting organizational change
� Achieving broader human resource
objectives
14
What barriers and challenges exist?
� Overcoming essential skills issues
� Accessing required resources (money,
time, know-how)
� Engaging leadership and employees
15
What are the keys to success?
� Assessing the needs and desired outcomes
� Aligning learning needs and business needs
� Customized learning
� Recognizing the achievements of learners
� Having a ‘learning champion’
� Forging strategic partnerships
� Supporting informal learning
16
How do SMEs measure the impact of work-
related learning?
� Usually informal, anecdotal measures
- enhanced productivity, employee
engagement, employee satisfaction,
customer satisfaction
17
CWS Best Practices Database
18
www.workplaceskills.ca
Where can I learn more?
� Visit our website workplaceskills.ca
� Download our reports
� Search our Best Practices Database
� Attend a SMART Session
19
Contact us…
Alex Stephens
Executive Coordinator
613 241 3222 ext 4244
Alison Cunningham
Business Liaison
613 241 3222 ext 4250
John Hugh Edwards
Labour Liaison & CLC National Rep.
613 521 3400 ext 417
Kindha Gorman
Communications Specialist
613 241 3222 ext 2263
Claudette Rotondo
Executive Assistant
613 241 3222 ext 4240
20