National Adult Literacy Database

From the pulp-and-paper sector to mining and construction, business in British Columbia is relying on a shrinking pool of workers from across Canada and around the world to meet the need for skilled labour. But the crisis hasn’t even started, according to a new report from B.C.’s research universities.

"Hiring in Canada is expected to outpace last year as employers focus on growing their businesses and meeting greater market demand," said Brent Rasmussen, President of CareerBuilder North America. "While employers remain watchful over factors impacting the global economy, we see more job opportunities opening up in everything from health care and information technology to trucking and manufacturing."

This year's Family Literacy Day celebration (January 27) came just weeks after very encouraging news about literacy and families in Canada. Results from the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study show that Canadian parents have one of the highest levels of involvement in literacy-related activities with their preschool-age children. "The results ... confirm that Canadian parents are doing an excellent job in fostering a culture of literacy in the home," said Ramona Jennex, Chair of CMEC and Nova Scotia's Minister of Education.

"As more financial decisions are faced by Canadians at younger and younger ages, grasping financial principles early in life is crucial to being better prepared to participate in the Canadian and global economy and avoiding pitfalls in financial decision making." -- Report of Canada’s Task Force on Financial Literacy

The first issue of our 2013 Essential Skills Bulletin Series is now available for free download. About the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) is the first of two bulletins that cover the highly anticipated international survey of adult literacy, numeracy and problem-solving skills.

The National Adult Literacy Database (NALD) has joined other literacy organizations across Canada to observe Family Literacy Day on January 27. NALD had the opportunity this week to speak to Toronto Public Library to help highlight what is important to remember when it comes to family literacy.

"As librarians, we see first-hand what materials kids are actually reading and getting excited about. Over the past few years, there’s been a lot of anticipation in children’s books with new trends bubbling up to the surface each year. But what does the future hold for children's literature?"

Get ready for Family Literacy Day on January 27, 2013! This year’s theme is “15 minutes of fun.” Just 15 minutes a day spent on reading or fun learning activities as a family has tremendous benefits for both children and parents.

The “new normal” of collective bargaining in Canada — modest economic prospects matched by modest expectations — may provide a degree of certainty not seen in several years, The Conference Board of Canada has concluded in its Industrial Relations Outlook 2013: Embracing the “New Normal.”

A refreshed LearnLiveBC website offers students around the world a portal to British Columbia's quality post-secondary institutions, helping them pick the right program in the right school for their education and career goals.

Social and Enterprise Development Innovations (SEDI) has announced that the TD Financial Literacy Grant Fund has awarded $837,321 in grants to 12 community organizations engaged in financial literacy projects across Canada.

The National Adult Literacy Database (NALD) is beginning a new year with an updated Vision, Mission and Values/Guiding Principles. NALD staff, under the direction of CEO Bill Stirling, started the renewal process with the NALD Board of Directors, including the CEO, adding the finishing touches and formalizing the new guidelines and the NALD Value Proposition at a recent board meeting.

Decoda Literacy Solutions has given a timely new twist to the traditional essential skills to mark the new year and assist with returning to work after a long stretch of vacation days.

Through the Skills and Training Plan, the B.C. government is committed to accelerating student transition to the workforce by exposing students to technical trades and skills and by expanding opportunities for students to begin apprenticeships before graduation and earn graduation credits.

CMEC has just published a new report that examines how better data and evidence can be developed to support jurisdictions' efforts to improve the academic achievement and attainment of Aboriginal students in provincial and territorial elementary and secondary schools.