Essential Skills - National Adult Literacy Database

Essential Skills and the Northern Oil and Gas Workforce Final Report and Resource Guide
Day 3 SESSION 1:
TOOLS FOR ASSESSING LEARNING AND WORK
READINESS
Presenter: Hildy Hanson (Keyano College)
Overview
ERIC – Effective Reading in Context
Safety and Workplace Reading
The Effective Reading in Context (ERIC) program was developed by Keyano College in
partnership with Syncrude Canada. The core curriculum has remained basically the same
since the launch of the program in 1987, although the documents addressed change
depending on the specific learner group. Since 1987 it has been delivered to over 1500
Syncrude employees. ERIC is intended as an interactive workshop that presents participants
with the opportunity to practice efficient workplace reading using proven and effective
strategies. The key word here is practice.
From a safety and business perspective, efficient reading of workplace documents benefits
all levels of an organization. Safe Work Practices require, in part, the reading of procedures,
instructions, notices, and numerous other workplace documents. Many workplace accidents
occur, not because workers cannot read, but because they are not “in the moment”; that is,
workers are not focusing and actively processing written information.
Human performance has a significant impact on workplace safety. Since workers are
responsible for their own reading, effective reading courses offer the worker a means to
manage their workplace reading. Each of the strategies discussed in the ERIC workshop is
meant to keep the workplace reader in the moment for that particular task. An increase in
worker attention for reading tasks produces a safer workplace environment.
SAM – Syncrude Applied Math
SAM was introduced to Syncrude employees in 1997 and was originally called WIN Working
in Numeracy. SAM focuses on the math most commonly used in the workplace using
workplace applications. As a refresher course, its focus is to ensure a solid understanding of
basic math skills. SAM participation improves workplace efficiency in areas including
budgets, inventory, blue print reading, angle applications for crane booms, grades and
welding, safety and loss management and the math required for most trades. The
customized workplace examples and exercises ensure employees are interested and
involved.
Both ERIC and SAM have been adapted to meet the needs of a variety of clients. The
adaptation involves incorporating authentic workplace documents into the course material.
Past partners include the Communications Energy and Paperworkers Local 707, Northern
Lights Health Region, Westwood Community High School, Alberta Power (ATCO Electric) and
the Construction Owners Association of Alberta.
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