Projects / Programmes
Working place and the development of basic skills
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.01.00 |
Social sciences |
Educational studies |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S280 |
Social sciences |
Adult education, permanent education |
literacy, work place literacy, basic skills, education, work place, organisational changes, work force
Researchers (5)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The purpose of this project it to examine the relation between complexity of the work place and the level of basic skills' achievements of the workers. For this purpose basic skills are defined in terms of prose literacy, documentary literacy and numeracy. Globalisation processes as well as technological, organisational and societal changes demand a level of basic skills which enables effective adjustment to changes and permanent education and learning of workers. On the other hand, some authors argue that in the new economy there are numerous work places that do not require the use of very complex skills (Jones 1994).
There is rather complex relation between literacy profile and work place indicators defined by some authors as a spiral effect: persons with better achievements in basic skills are more likely to have access to jobs that require higher level of basic skills which gives them better opportunities for maintaining and upgrading their basic skills. On the contrary, persons with low level of basic skills are more likely to occupy low skilled jobs which do not contribute to the development of their basic skills (Krahn, Lowe 1998). They may even get obsolete.
Scientific and analytical effects of the project are in its contribution to better understanding of the development of basic skills also in regard to the role of work environment/occupational position. This may foster the surpassing of the outdated scheme of pedagogy and lead to the development of modern sociology of education.
The applied significance of the project is in proposals of measures for transformations, improvements and developments of new practices in adult education that are more in line with the lifelong learning concept which encompass both educational and employment system. At the micro level they suggest an improved frame for training needs assessment and for transfer of know-how into organisations.
Hypothesis: The achievements in basic skills are significantly associated with the possibility for the use of those at the work place. Where work is not organised in a way which facilitates regular use of basic skills low level is preserved. Those who have the opportunity to improve their basic skills in the work place are also most likely to be involved in activities outside work which demand the use of basic skills. They are also expected to participate in adult education.
The objectives of the research:
- to determine individual basic skills' achievements in relation to the complexity of their work/occupation;
- to examine individual basic skills' achievements at work place in comparison with those in other countries,
- to investigate the role of factors outside the work place in maintaining and improving basic skills required at the work place;
- to examine the relation between the needs of economy for basic skills and the achievements of the work force;
- to propose measures for improving the situation in that area.
