National Adult Literacy Database

Today the role of the administrative professional is light years away from the letter-typing and coffee-fetching duties seen on shows like Mad Men. In a recent study conducted by the International Association of Administrative Assistants, approximately two-thirds of administrative professionals report that their level of workplace autonomy and authority has increased in the last five years.

This article is from the first anniversary edition of Career Development Connections. Over the next year, the Manitoba publication will continue to feature articles on new and emerging theories, practices, tools and resources in the field of career development.

Survey respondents do not seem to feel the impact of the labour shortage as severely as in the preceding quarter or during the same period in 2011. They plan to step up recruitment efforts by +43.0%, which amounts to a decline of 16.6% compared to the first quarter of 2012 and 13.1% to last year. With the summer just ahead, these figures can be explained by a greater availability of labour.

Under the new partnership, school teams will include literacy experts and student teachers who will work directly with educators and students. The program will have a positive impact on rural and remote teacher recruitment, which can be challenging for rural and remote B.C. communities.

Bertier Berube and Larry Gullison each received Council of the Federation Literacy Awards on Literacy Day in New Brunswick.

The National Adult Literacy Database (NALD) was one of several literacy organizations recognized by the New Brunswick Department of Post-secondary Education, Training and Labour on Literacy Day 2012.

Canada’s economy was near full employment before the 2008-09 recession. Although Canada has recovered all the jobs lost during the recession, it will take another four years to bring the unemployment rate back down to about six per cent.

The total budget for the N.B. Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour for 2012-13 is up almost two per cent from the previous fiscal year. New measures targeted at post-secondary education have also been announced.

Having two careers at once is an ambitious proposition and yet not that unusual these days. For some people, a second career may be about creating an additional income stream. For others, it’s about a passion.

The reality is simple: employees blossom when challenged and wither when threatened. There are no data showing that anxious, fearful employees are more creative and productive, but there are data proving that employees in a threatening environment are less engaged, less loyal and for the most part miserable.

Laubach Literacy Ontario is organizing a two-day conference, along with its annual general meeting, at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, from June 8-9, 2012.

Saskatchewan's Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration is seeking proposals for the delivery of Adult Basic Education – Essential Skills for the Workplace programs for the 2012-13 fiscal year.

Communication skills in the workplace can be improved through awareness and practice. In fact, even effective communicators can always be improving. This article outlines some steps to follow.

This issue features occupational task profiles, a course review, OLES tools and information about the CLLN online forum for adult educators.

“Volunteers are fundamental to the health of our communities nationwide because they support us and everything we do,” said Ruth MacKenzie, President and CEO of Volunteer Canada. “Recognizing Canada’s 13.3 million volunteers effectively inspires them to stay engaged and involved.”