National Adult Literacy Database

In his new free workshop for 2013, Tom Sticht reviews extensive data on intergenerational inequalities in education and economics. He also presents data from many studies to suggest that greater investments in the education of undereducated youth and adults, many of whom are parents or will become parents, can help break the multiple life cycles of inequalities in education and economic achievement.

For the second year in a row, Decoda Literacy Solutions staff spent the fall travelling to eight regions around British Columbia for two-day training, networking and idea-sharing events.

CSTD programming focuses primarily on those areas that are specific to training and development. While general management and leadership topics are always included in their programs, priority is given to the five core competency areas for the profession.

The Centre for Excellence in Foundational Learning at Bow Valley College is looking for experienced adult education practitioners to serve on an advisory committee for an innovative adult writing assessment project titled Write Forward. Members will assist in reviews of project design and development through all stages, and assist with networking and promotion of the project across Canada.

An extension of an agreement between the B.C. government and the Central Interior Logging Association (CILA) will allow 30 more students to train as log and chip truck drivers or heavy-equipment operators under the Forest Industry Readiness Skills Training (FIRST) program and place them in permanent positions within the sector.

Over 100 eminent academics have signed a letter to Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister John Duncan demanding that core funding for Aboriginal organizations be restored to protect vital research projects underway. The signatories highlight that researchers partner with tribal councils, the National Aboriginal Health Organization, and other Aboriginal representative organizations to address "health, education and infrastructure issues that are preventing Canadian First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities from reaching their full potential."

ABC Life Literacy Canada would like to help employers build a better skilled, more resilient and effective workforce. If you are the company owner, general manager or HR manager, the organization would appreciate your completing this survey.

“Margaret cultivated and maintained strategic partnerships and kept literacy front and centre. She has been an influential advocate and has shown great passion for the literacy cause,” said Jim Warrington, Vice-Chair of the ABC Board, and Executive Director of the National Advertising Benevolent Society (NABS).

Raising the Roof has released the first report to explore the issue of unemployment among homeless youth in Canada. The report focuses on understanding how to motivate and support Canadian business to provide employment and skills training opportunities to disadvantaged youth or, essentially, to "take a chance" on these young people.

The eMentoring program is geared to aboriginal youth in grades 6 through 12. Those who participate get matched with a UBC health-sciences student (who could be studying anything from nursing to physical therapy), and from there they connect via an online platform that allows for safe, secure discussions and semi-structured activities.

In July, the B.C. government launched a strategy to create and support jobs in B.C.'s fast-growing technology sector. Technology Week is a great time to explore some of the many education and career opportunities that exist in the sector.

"The skilled trades are the sectors of tomorrow, where the need for qualified people is most acute, and where many jobs will be created — should this be your path of choice." - Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, at launch of Skilled Trades and Technology Week.

The week-long event, which includes interactive student skills activities across the country hosted by Skills/Compétences Canada and its member organizations, highlights the shortage of skilled trade and technology workers and the tremendous career opportunities this presents for youth.

Following two consecutive months of increases, employment in October was unchanged and the unemployment rate remained at 7.4 per cent.

Visa is launching the game in support of Canada's Financial Literacy Month which takes place in November each year. As part of the celebration, Visa is extending its sponsorship of Credit Education Week Canada (CEWC) for a sixth consecutive year, which again includes support for a student essay writing contest.