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This research aims to develop a theoretically-informed and evidence-based
analysis of both immediate and longer-term outcomes of workplace-linked
interventions designed to improve adults’ basic skills. Specifically,
it will:
- Provide a theoretically-informed analysis of the outcomes and
impact of workplace-linked interventions to improve adults' basic
skills. Our objective is to identify when and how such programmes
are effective:
- in achieving a substantive impact on the skills and life-chances
of participating adults, as indicated by improved and measured
basic skills but also other life-course variables;
- in increasing the potential productivity of workplaces
and enterprises which sponsor basic skills instruction through
their impact on employee behaviour, attitudes and networks;
- Develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the interrelationships
between learning, workplace experience, and lifecourse trajectories.
- Contribute to the underlying research base and development
of adult basic skills curriculum, pedagogy and teacher education.
- Build capacity for longitudinal studies involving appropriate
measures in the field of post-compulsory and lifelong learning.
The research builds upon ongoing work carried out through the
new National Research and Development Centre for Adult Literacy
and Numeracy, the DfES funded centre based at the Institute of Education.
The project will benefit from extremely close links with the NRDC,
and with its strong network of providers and researchers, notably
the Lancaster-based Workplace Basic Skills Network of employers
and practitioners, who are key players in the Basic Skills Agency’s
National Programme for Workplace Basic Skills, and in Trades Union
Learning Fund projects.
The NRDC network includes national agencies including NIACE and
LSDA, and such providers as the London Pathfinder Programmes, the
Liverpool Lifelong Learning Partnership. It has close links with
the Basic Skills Agency.
In addition, we will collaborate with major businesses through the
Business Forum on Lifelong Learning and the Goodison Group; through
RDAs; and via our links with the Union Learning Fund.
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