National Adult Literacy Database

In every part of the country there is a story waiting to be told about how Canadians can benefit from employment programs and initiatives. These success stories are about Canadians who are making better choices to lead productive and rewarding lives in their family life, at work and in their communities.

When it comes to employers limiting access to the Internet at work, Randstad Canada says employers should rethink their assumptions. "The use of email and the Internet has become an integral part of today's workplace. They offer a great deal of benefits to corporations, such as improved communication among employees, improved customer support and research capabilities."

On the occasion of International Workers' Day, also known as May Day, the Montreal Economic Institute's Yanick Labrie shines a light on five reasons why income inequality is less worrisome than it appears to be.

CUPE has been active in literacy work for over a decade. A right for all, literacy helps workers succeed on the job and in life, and it can be a critical foundation for further training and education.

Students across British Columbia will have new opportunities for skills training, thanks to $10 million in one-time funding being provided to 16 public post-secondary institutions to prepare workers for jobs in their regions.

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.

“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.”

The overlap between work and private time in Canada is substantial, according to a new report. A total of 46 per cent handle private matters during working hours, 51 per cent handle work-related matters in private time, and 44 per cent receive work-related calls or e-mails when on holiday.

Structural shifts in the labour market mean “workers in declining industries may not have the skills or experience to match immediately the needs of employers in expanding industries,” Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney said in a speech recently.

With an original target of helping 148 people gain employment, the ASEP grant applied to mine training association activities in the Thompson Okanagan and Nechako regions of British Columbia. The development of additional partnerships with industry associations, educational institutions, individual companies and First Nations has widened the scope of the programs.

The Essential Skills in the Gaming Industry website contains a wealth of information about the industry itself and responsible gaming. It also features a new series of documents to assist individuals with their skill levels beyond the core competencies required for employment positions. The series is also available in the NALD library.

As International Adult Learners' Week gets underway, you may be interested in these resources available from the Decoda library. The resources focus on learning in the workplace and are directed at learners.

“As the Canadian labour market tightens and the natural resources sectors expand, we have a unique opportunity for an educated, skilled Aboriginal population to become full participants in a robust Canadian economy,” said John Duncan, federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, in Calgary recently.

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.

There's no question that some job-search approaches are more productive than others. Richard Bolles devotes several pages of his book What Colour Is Your Parachute? to exploring the most and least effective angles.