The advantages a workplace learning center may have on Company A and Company A's employees

Abstract

Improving workplace basic skills benefits the entire nation. To be more competitive, businesses in every part of the country require employees with better workplace basic skills (Bloom and Lafleur, 1999). Employers have the opportunity to educate employees on workplace basic skills through the use of an on-site learning center. The state of Wisconsin offers companies the opportunity to open an on-site workplace learning center through a two-year grant program. First year costs are paid at 75% through the grant and second year costs at 50%. The goal at the end of the two-year grant is to have a workplace learning center that can function without state funding. Any company that is interested in opening a workplace learning center will work with a local area technical college to write the grant. Classes are taught based on specific needs of each individual company. This study examines the advantages a workplace learning center may have on a Company A and Company A's employees. Review of current literature shows little research on workplace learning centers. Most of the knowledge exists in the minds of the instructors who teach at the learning centers and the employees of the companies who support the learning center. With the continuing changes in technology, workplace organizational structuring and diverse employees, employers must adapt workers to these changes through education. Workplace education is vital to succeed in today's workplace.