[Re]considering the Workplace: Teaching and Learning for Critical Consciousness

Abstract

Corporate contexts are often criticised for their motives regarding the provision of employee learning opportunities. However, emancipatory education need not be in conflict with capitalism. This article explores critical literacy possibilities that synergistically serve employees and support organisational growth. Drawing from literature on adult education and critical literacy, the intent of this article is to make explicit the potential of workplace contexts to promote critical education practices that are attentive to issues of social justice. FORMATIVE INFLUENCESAs evidenced by the increasing number of adult and workplace education programs in Canada, there is a growing interest in literacy and its influence in promoting success for adults. I became aware of this trend when I was approached by a large corporation that, although financially successful, was struggling to retain engaged employees. This problem was particularly evident among frontline workers, many of whom had lower than desired literacy levels and, because of their rotating shift work, no way to pursue academic upgrading. The company sought the support of the provincial Department of Education in the form of an at-arm's-length organisational needs assessment (ONA). The findings of the ONA indicated that employees were seeking continuous learning opportunities that would allow them increased mobility and, simultaneously, demonstrate the 367 Ó 2014, Baywood Publishing Co., Inc.