Resources: Workplace - A lighter approach to literacy

THE CHALLENGE

Research has shown that many young people in the 16 to 24 age group with literacy problems are not accessing adult courses and are dropping out of school or college. Without ongoing literacy support, these young people can find it hard to stay in employment.

THE SOLUTION

Youth workers at Dundee City Council identified a need to adopt an informal and creative approach to engage these groups and formed the Youth Literacy Project more than three years ago.

The team comprises one full-time youth worker seconded from the youth service and part-time staff with either youth work, art or literacy backgrounds. They have all completed a basic Instruction to Adult Literacy Learning course and apply this to informal youth work activities. They also keep themselves up to date on government adult literacy guidance.