National Adult Literacy Database

In the last 30 years, female students have caught up to their male counterparts and even surpassed them in academic achievement.

Seven recently published fact sheets, compiled by The Alliance of Sector Councils (TASC), highlight innovative responses to some of Canada’s key human resource challenges.

Saskatchewan’s June unemployment rate of 4.9 per cent (seasonally adjusted) was well below the national average of 7.4 per cent. The number of unemployed was down by 3,600 (13.1 per cent) – the third highest percentage decline among the provinces.

Alberta students who have been in government care will be rewarded for their academic success through a new scholarship named in honour of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The Government of Alberta announced the creation of the $50,000 Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarship to commemorate the Royal Couple’s visit to Alberta.

Volunteers in the John Howard Society’s literacy program provide one-on-one tutoring to inmates at the Winnipeg Remand Centre. The program aims not only to improve inmates’ reading, writing and grammar skills but also to help educate them on topics of interest including parenting, victim awareness and substance use.

The Government of Canada is taking action to address skills shortages so Canadians can train for jobs in a changing economy. There are significant shortages in many key industries including healthcare, IT and skilled trades, but as more industries take part in this new information-sharing strategy the list of employers seeking skilled workers will continue to grow.

Michael Connelly, author of The Fifth Witness, says that browsing through physical books brings inspiration of the kind that led him from wandering his campus library’s stacks straight to a writing career.

Earlier this year NIACE heard from a number of learning providers in the UK concerned about the changing provision for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, especially those on Foundation Learning programs.

In an effort to better serve its clients and stakeholders across the broad spectrum of literacy and essential skills, the National Adult Literacy Database (NALD) is pleased to inform you about several enhancements.

With the advent and refinement of brain imaging technology, researchers have been able to study how aspects of brain development support school readiness, various learning strategies and expertise in academic tasks such as numeracy and literacy. In turn, this knowledge can be used to improve current educational practices.

Each month NALD releases Library user statistics in a feature known as the Top 20 downloads/20 Plus téléchargés.

The federal government is launching a website it says will help Canadians identify which sectors of the economy are currently hiring and where job growth is likely to occur in future years.

The National Strategy on Inuit Education, developed in association with the NWT’s Department of Education, Culture and Employment, includes a series of bold new recommendations to empower parents, expand early childhood programs and gather detailed research data.

The Individual Learning Centre is continuing to offer alternative pathways to graduation for students who require enhanced flexibility to succeed in the public school system. Through the centre, work experience placements, pre-employment programs and career placement initiatives can be incorporated into the students’ education plans.

The scholarship is intended to encourage women and men entering their first year at community college or a private college to seek careers in trades, technology and others sectors where participation by women and men has been limited.