LLN Skills in the Workplace
kaupapa MAori case study
Te Wa-hanga Research Project:
Dr Helen Potter (project leader),
Dr Jessica Hutchings
Project start date: 8 February 2010.
Project finish date: 31 December 2010.
This kaupapa Māori case study is part of a bigger
research project into LLN skill transfer in the
workplace which has been undertaken by NZCER,
for the Department of Labour. The project team
includes Marie Cameron (project leader), Rose
Hipkins, Jenny Whatman, Keren Brooking, Alex Neil,
Dominic Maddell, Sally Robertson, and Josie Lander.
Aims
To find out more about the factors that support
and/or constrain workers’ use, in the workplace, of
literacy, language and numeracy (LLN) skills gained
in workplace literacy programmes. The objective of
the research is to gain a deeper understanding of:
• what learning ‘transfer’ means in workplaces and
what factors support and hinder it, especially in
relation to the transfer of LLN knowledge and
skills;
• the extent to which alignment between workplace
literacy demands, learner needs and LLN
programmes impact on transfer;
• the practices which appear to support LLN
transfer in workplaces; and
• the productivity-related impact of LLN initiatives
on participants, their work environment, and the
wider workplace.
The kaupapa Māori case study will make up one
of the case studies of this project, and will be
conducted as a research project-within-a-project.
The purpose of this is two-fold:
• to enable a kaupapa Māori methodology to shape
the case study design, analysis and presentation
of findings; which will
• result in the further development of Māori
specific research in the field of literacy and
literacy transfer.
Why is this research important?
The project is part of a large suite of research that
the Department of Labour has undertaken to
ascertain the effects of government initiatives to
improve adult literacy, language and numeracy,
given the considerable level of funding that is given
to run workplace LLN programmes. Findings from
the study will facilitate knowledge sharing of how to
make such programmes work better for companies
and workers who participate in them. Findings
from the kaupapa Māori case study will provide
interesting information on LLN transfer for Māori
workers, Māori businesses, and those who employ
Māori.
What we plan to do
Data
Using a case study design, the aim is to identify
the processes by which Māori workers in a
Māori business learn and use LLN skills and
processes. A suitable workplace that is running
an LLN programme will be selected with the
advice of Literacy Aotearoa. The research team
will interview workers undertaking LLN training,
along with LLN tutors and workplace managerial
staff. If appropriate, the research team will also
observe the LLN programme, examine programme
documentation, and the course participants in the
workplace. Interviewing will be undertaken in July
and again in October.
Analysis
Kōrero from research participants will be analysed
by identifying key themes and using these to
generate insights and understanding into what
LLN transfer is for Māori, and of the factors and
practices which support LLN skill transfer.
Our partner
TBC
Contact details
Dr Helen Potter
Kairangahau Mātua,
Senior Researcher
Te Wāhanga, NZ Council for
Educational Research
PO Box 3237, Wellington 6140
Aotearoa, New Zealand
Ph: (04) 802-1435
Email: helen.potter@nzcer.org.nz