Programme in action
With the growing realisation that some of the problems in the workplace were caused by literacy and numeracy challenges, Sanford Havelock decided to run a training programme for 27 of its workers.
"We are seeing some clear changes as a result of the course like less need for supervision, greater taking of initiative, greater willingness to attempt tasks and general improved attitudes to work."
Sanford Limited (part of the Sanford group) is a large and long established fishing company devoted entirely to the harvesting, farming, processing, storage and marketing of quality seafood and aquaculture products. The Havelock plant specialises in producing high quality mussels.
| “We realized that there were difficulties associated with the increasing numbers of workers whose first language was not English and although these language issues were the most obvious indicators of literacy and numeracy need, we also realized that some of our workers had poor reading skills,” say Warwick Neame, Quality Assurance Supervisor at Sanford’s Havelock plant. |
| The company talked with the Department of Labour and contracted Adult Learning Support (ALS) to undertake the training needs analysis and deliver a programme. This was funded through the Tertiary Education Commissions Workplace Literacy Fund. |
Warwick said that the training needs analysis was important because it helped the company to work out what should be included in the course.
| “We decided that we wanted to enhance the productivity, safety and quality of work of Sanford employees by ensuring that they could do a number of key things.” |
This included:
- Read key information related to their job
- Communicate key information related to their jobs in written and verbal form
- Understand and accurately perform numerical processes related to their jobs
- Understand and respond appropriately to instructions related to their job.
The workers were offered 40 hours of learning time. A Department of Labour evaluation showed that most felt that they had improved their understanding of English as a result or the course. As one of them said, “It is so good for my life, work and life because I understand now.”
This new learning and confidence spilled over to their workplace practices. After the course workers were saying:
- “I’m hearing instructions much better”
- “I used to not understand what my supervisor told me to do. Now I do - not everything, but a lot more than before”
- “Now I understand labels bar-coding and technical words - I listened before, but I didn't know, now I have confidence to ask what they are”.
Several also said that they now found it much easier to fill in their paperwork such as accident forms.
It’s not just the workers noticing their own improvements. Supervisors too are seeing changes. Warwick says,
| “We are seeing some clear changes as a result of the course like less need for supervision, greater taking of initiative, greater willingness to attempt tasks and general improved attitudes to work”. |
| “We’ve seen what a difference this pilot project has made so we are going to continue with it and offer to up to 40 of our employees. This time around we hope to include more of our kiwi employees as we know that it not just second language learners who have issues with literacy.” |