Volunteers in the workplace literacy program teach basic reading, writing, and math skills as a means of improving both the work and personal lives of employees of participating companies.

The basic premise of the workplace literacy program is the need to retool, retrain, and retain:

Retool: The changes taking place in the manufacturing industry are requiring that workers be properly "tooled" in order to keep up. Reading, writing and mathematics are important tools in today's computer age.

Retrain: Retraining projects are more common for the U.S. industries to continue producing quality products. Quality Control Management in today's manufacturing requires a better qualified, better prepared workforce.

Retain: The retention of a dedicated workforce contributes to the success of a company. By helping retool and retrain these workers, our manufacturing industry can be better prepared for changes that contribute to a company's success.

Increase Productivity: Employees who CAN read, write, and compute mathematically do not have to rely on others to help them perform their jobs on a daily basis.

Decrease In Work Accidents: Employees who CAN read are able to read important safety instructions, resulting in the reduction of work-related accidents and lost work time.

Improved Product Quality: Employees who CAN read and write specific instructions dealing with materials, chemicals and machinery can help produce quality goods.

Reduce Lost Management Time: Employees who CAN read and write do not require constant supervision in order to perform productively.

Overall: A workplace education program aimed at meeting the basic skills needs of its participants can result in a more productive, better qualified employee workforce. Every single employee within the company benefits as a result of the company's commitment and the program's success.

Basic Skills Improvement Program:
  1. On or off-site assessments for employees
  2. One-to-one, confidential tutoring in reading, writing, and mathematics to interested employees
  3. Workplace materials will be used as needed
  4. Flexibility in schedules to accommodate for the different shifts
  5. Vision screening for employees and their families
  6. Optional small group instruction
  7. Family literacy programs
  8. Technical support for the program from Reading People staff, including Dr. Lois Bader, Executive Director of CALC, specialist in the workplace skills programs and professor at Michigan State University