History
Workbase has been at the forefront of New Zealand's adult literacy, numeracy and language services and support services for the past two decades.
2011
Since 1991 Workbase has provided literacy training programmes to more than 150 companies and 6,000 individuals, and continues working to improve workforce literacy provision throughout New Zealand.
The Workbase Library has more than 1,600 registered borrowers and every year there are more than 40,000 visits to the New Zealand Literacy Portal.
2010
Workbase sponsors:
- the Crystal Clear Literacy Award in partnership with the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand
- the Best Growth Strategy Award in Management Magazine's Top 200 awards.
Workbase launches the New Zealand Health Literacy website.
2009
The Literacy Alliance is established as a coalition that includes: Workbase, Literacy Aotearoa, English Language Partners, BusinessNZ, Industry Training Federation, and NZCTU with support from Ako Aotearoa.
Members aim to achieve successful learning outcomes that create social and economic impact. This includes promoting organisational and teaching practices that provide evidence-based literacy, language and numeracy.
2008
Workbase develops and delivers a new tutor induction programme.
2007
Workbase's Consulting services team is established to meet a growing demand for organisational communication improvement and support.
The Tertiary Education Commission Embedded Literacy Pilots are extended to more industry training organisations. Workbase is asked to support a growing number of these organisations as they embed literacy and numeracy to build industry skills. This work includes developing Literacy on the Job Profiles, which describe the main literacy and numeracy tasks in a range of jobs.
The Key Steps Forward for Workforce Literacy is released. It was developed by Workbase, BusinessNZ, the NZ Council of Trade Unions, and the Industry Training Federation.
The three-day International Adult Literacy Conference is run in Auckland by Workbase, Literacy Aotearoa, English Language Partners and the Australian Council of Adult Literacy. The conference was attended by 350 people from New Zealand and overseas.
2006
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority accredits Workbase to deliver the National Certificate in Adult Literacy Education (Vocational Tutor and Workplace Trainer) [NCALE (Voc)].
2005
Workbase develops resources to deliver the new adult literacy educator qualifications for vocational and workplace tutors.
Workbase completes development projects funded by the Tertiary Education Commission:
- Descriptor Bank (a process for ITOs to identify the literacy and numeracy tasks in most industry jobs)
- ReAL (on-line resources for adult learners that help tutors and programme managers to integrate literacy, numeracy and language support)
2004
The Tertiary Education Commission contracts Workbase to support providers outside Auckland to establish and deliver workplace literacy programmes.
2003
Workbase establishes the New Zealand Literacy Portal.
2002
Norske Skog Tasman wins the National Business Ethics award for Te Whare Ako.
2001
Workbase becomes New Zealand's first (and only) organisation to be awarded UNESCO's International Reading Association prize.
Liz Moore resigns and Katherine Percy is appointed Chief Executive.
Workbase makes the case for the Government to establish a Workplace Literacy Fund to subsidise workplace literacy programmes. It is initially administered by Workbase and called the Workplace Basic Skills Development Fund. The fund subsequently grew and the Tertiary Education Commission took sole responsibility for administering it from 2006.
2000
Liz Moore's 'Blueprint for Literacy' paper is published. This important document helped to inform and influence the Ministry of Education's Adult Literacy Strategy, 'More than Words'.
The Ministry of Education funds Workbase to run research projects that include: Literacy in Industry (which identified the common literacy skills used by operators in selected manaufacturing and processing industries) and Literacy Innovation Network Clusters (an action research project that successfully demonstrated that literacy can be integrated into vocational skills training programmes).
1997-1999
Workbase receives a Ministry of Education contract to provide professional development for adult literacy tutors, thus beginning Workbase's nationwide Professional Development service.
Workbase begins producing the Literacy Works newsletter for adult literacy practitioners. Sign up to Literacy Works here.
1996
Workbase is established as a charitable trust with Liz Moore as Chief Executive, and six employees. It offers adult literacy programmes in workplaces and sets up a library and information services, making teaching resources available nationwide.
1994
Workbase establishes Te Whare Ako, an on-site learning centre at Norske Skog Tasman in Kawerau.
1992-1993
An increasing number of businesses complete workplace literacy programmes and evidence of the benefits grows.
1991
Workbase is established as a development unit within the Adult Reading and Learning Assistance Federation. It receives a government grant to pilot literacy programmes in two large manufacturing businesses. Literacy expert Liz Moore is appointed to lead Workbase.