National Adult Literacy Database

Do you know a youth, educator or organization in your community that excels in promoting literacy and helping others improve their literacy levels in any of the NWT's official languages? Awards are available in four categories including youth learner, educator, organization and adult learner.

The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC), a unit of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) has just completed Phase II of the Pan-Canadian Quality Standards in International Academic Credential Assessment Project.

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

The award recognizes outstanding achievement in developing and implementing a technology initiative that contributes to the advancement of adult literacy and essential skills. Specifically, the product, project or service should promote, support and/or facilitate knowledge exchange within the adult literacy community.

This literacy and essential skills training project will place Frontier College's labourer-teachers in businesses across Canada, focusing on high-needs sectors, with particular attention to Aboriginal and new immigrant workers. The labourer-teachers will provide one-to-one tutoring, mentoring and other educational support in the workplace.

“Ministers of education recognize that Canada works best when all citizens have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed,” said Ramona Jennex, Minister of Education for Nova Scotia and current Chair of CMEC. “This means there can be no one left behind: young people, adult workers, Aboriginal Canadians, new immigrants, and those with differing abilities. All must have access to quality educational opportunities to ensure their success.”

Adult learning in Canada and around the world since the Second World War owes a great deal to a handful of Canadians who continue to provide leadership today. Although adult education has been practised in Canada since the early 19th century, it wasn’t until after the war that it developed its own formal field of study.

Take part in the celebration of International Adult Learners’ Week by practising your literacy skills - read about a new hobby, complete a crossword, word jumble or Sudoku puzzle, or sign up for a professional development program at work.

Spring is all about new beginnings and there is no better time of year to refresh your skills and focus on lifelong learning.

March 24 to April 1, 2012, is International Adult Learners' Week. Members of Canada's literacy and essential skills community want to know how YOU continue to learn throughout the years.

The national chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students says: "Instead of cutting important programs such as the Service Canada Centre for Youth, the federal government should be increasing funding to help youth and students get a head start in life." For post-secondary education, students are recommending four concrete budget steps to ensure students and their families are not being left out.

ABC Life Literacy Canada is pleased to announce that nominations for the 2012 Peter Gzowski Life Literacy Fellowship are now being accepted online. The fellowship is open to accredited media and freelance journalists working and residing in Canada, along with current journalism students attending an accredited post-secondary institution in Canada.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently announced that the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency will provide $27 million over five years to expand adult basic education in Nunavut, Yukon and the Northwest Territories.

This year, ABC Life Literacy Canada, Frontier College and the Ontario Literacy Coalition have co-written a social media guide to encourage Canadian organizations to celebrate adult learning and raise awareness of lifelong learning in Canada.

The Canadian Literacy and Learning Network (CLLN), a non-profit charitable organization, represents literacy coalitions, organizations and individuals in every province and territory. CLLN shares knowledge, engages partners and stakeholders, and builds awareness to advance literacy and learning across Canada.