National Adult Literacy Database

The federal government is seeking applications for projects that will help seniors use their leadership abilities, energy and skills to continue to make a difference in their communities through the New Horizons for Seniors Program. The deadline for applications is July 5, 2013, in all provinces and territories except Quebec, where the process will close on September 6, 2013, to coincide with a provincial call for proposals.

Everyone needs to know where they’re going. David Scholz, chief marketing officer of Leger Marketing, a Canadian-owned research and strategic marketing firm, emphasizes why being clear is an important skill for leaders. “If no one is telling you, you’ll set your own direction; the result is 100 staff members going in 100 different directions.”

A new trade certification program will help enterprising tradespeople in Atlantic Canada obtain all the tools they’ll need to succeed in business. The Atlantic Trades Business Seal Program was announced by Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and Joan Shea, N.L. Minister of Advanced Education and Skills.

Preliminary 2012 data and revised 2007 to 2011 data on provincial and territorial labour productivity and its related variables for the business sector by industry are now available.

Each year Newfoundland and Labrador Laubach Literacy Council acknowledges the achievements of its students through the Student of the Year award. Aggie Snook of Stephenville has been selected to receive the NLLLC Student of the Year Achievement Award for 2012. As well, the Susie Day Volunteer of the Year Award was created to recognize those who demonstrate outstanding service through participation in and leadership of Laubach programs. This year’s recipient is Maureen Kennedy.

In the coming months, the Government of Canada will take several steps to bring players together and stimulate innovative ideas for addressing social and economic challenges. The Government will look to leaders in the social finance sector, such as the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, the Centre for Impact Investing at MaRS, Vancouver City Savings Credit Union, Social Capital Partners, and others to help identify a way forward.

Learning disabilities are commonly considered a school-based issue; but struggling in school means struggling in life. This makes learning to be confident and acquiring a healthy mental attitude a particular challenge for those with learning disabilities. With children and youth as this year's focus for Mental Health Awareness Week, I would like to call attention to the relationship between mental health issues and learning disabilities.

Nearly half of the 46 mid-sized Canadian cities covered in The Conference Board of Canada's first Mid-Sized Cities Outlook 2013 have not recovered all the jobs lost during the recession, based on historical economic data between 2005 and 2012.

If you are involved in the provision of Literacy and Essential Skills programs and services, exclusively or as part of other services you deliver, to adults, as a paid teacher/instructor, skills assessor, program/curriculum developer, administrator, coordinator or manager, this survey is for you.

The four Atlantic premiers have agreed, through the Atlantic Workforce Partnership, to harmonize apprenticeship programs across the region and deliver online training to small and medium-sized businesses. This will make the region a national leader in the delivery of critical skills training.

Work is where confidence matters most and if we develop poor confidence at work, reversing it is a must. There’s nothing innate about poor confidence. It comes from negative thoughts and experiences. To develop workplace confidence, therefore, we simply need to replace this negativity with positive thinking and actions.

The Labour Market Study is surveying individuals involved in the delivery of Literacy and Essential Skills (L/ES) services in a variety of roles. Whether you are an instructor, trainer, coordinator, assessor, program manager, supervisor, administrator or have another role in L/ES program delivery, this survey includes you.

Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, have announced reforms to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. “Canada is experiencing significant skills shortages in many sectors and regions, and Canadians must always have first crack at job opportunities when they become available,” said Minister Finley.

As part of National Volunteer Week, Literacy NL has acknowledged the many volunteers in Newfoundland and Labrador who contribute their time to building a culture of lifelong learning in the province. Community volunteers share their skills freely - in adult learning programs, in public schools and in community organizations - so others may reach their potential.

The ACCC Board is pleased to announce it has named Denise Amyot as the new President and CEO of the Association, effective June 4, 2013. Ms. Amyot most recently served as President and CEO of the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation, where she built on her track record of leadership excellence by implementing a strategic plan emphasizing beneficial partnerships with private sector, government institutions, not-for-profit organizations and academia.