Required Education and Experience
Community-Based Sector
Representing the community-based literacy sector since 1994, Community Literacy of Ontario (CLO) is a provincial literacy network of over 100 community literacy agencies across Ontario.
CLO provides many services to Ontario's community literacy agencies such as sharing information via e-bulletins and newsletters, producing exemplary resources and tools to support literacy agencies, hosting two websites, providing online training and holding an annual training event, and researching the needs and priorities of its members. (Source: www.nald.ca/clo/about.htm)
Community Literacy of Ontario's Practitioner Training research from 2000-2003 confirms that 63% of staff in community-based literacy agencies have more than four years experience and over 25% have been working in the literacy field for at least 10 years. The majority of staff has some post-secondary education and extensive related experience from previous employment. In addition to education and experience preferences, community-based programs are also encouraged to adhere to CLO's Provincial Standard for the Training of Paid Practitioners.(Source: www.nald.ca/clo/pratrain/provstan/pract.htm)
As well, volunteer tutors bring high levels of education and experience to their literacy work. Ninety-one percent of tutors surveyed in the Skills for the Future project have post-secondary education. In addition to education and experience preferences for volunteers, community-based programs are also encouraged to adhere to CLO's Provincial Standard for the Training of Volunteer Tutors. (Source: www.nald.ca/clo/pratrain/provstan/tutors.htm)
(Source: Information gathered from interviews with community-based practitioners and Skills for the Future: the Executive Summary and Skills for the Future Phases One and Two, 2000-2002. Skills for the Future documents are available under “Publications” at: www.nald.ca/clo/publications.htm.)
Practitioner education and experience requirements and preferences
- Post-secondary degree in a related area preferred
- Experience and education in adult education preferred
- Experience facilitating small/large groups preferred
- Ability to work with individuals from various backgrounds in a supportive and nurturing environment
