National Adult Literacy Database

Although Ontario’s economy is improving, the recession has not ended for those 900,000 Ontarians without a high school diploma. Statistics show that these adults are now twice as likely to be unemployed as they were 20 years ago. Though their future might look bleak, there are solutions.

ABC Life Literacy Canada is delighted to announce the 2012 Life Literacy Award winners in recognition of outstanding achievement in adult literacy and essential skills through community literacy, workplace education, journalism and corporate excellence.

Business leaders recognize that investment in people has a direct impact on the bottom line. Raising awareness of this relationship is the goal of Learn@Work Week, an initiative of the Canadian Society for Training and Development (CSTD). This year, CSTD recognizes 16 senior business leaders who understand this relationship and are active advocates of learning in the workplace.

"Literacy, if we need to be reminded, is the great enabler that allows individuals to unlock their potential. It’s the basic skill set on which most other capabilities are built. As we celebrate International Literacy Day (proclaimed by UNESCO in 1965) this Saturday, we should also remember that literacy is a fundamental human right."

A new publication in the NALD Library could serve as a wakeup call for Canadians interested in or concerned about the future of the workforce. A follow-up to People without Jobs, Jobs without People (2010), Dr. Rick Miner’s latest work is entitled Jobs of the Future: Options and Opportunities (2012).

“The new Sectoral Initiatives Program will gather critical labour market information and make it available through the Working in Canada online portal, helping to ensure Canadians are more aware of the skills that are needed for the jobs that are in demand.” – Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development

Grass Roots Press has an international reputation for publishing high-quality resources for adult basic education and English as a Second Language communities. The company carries over 500 books, DVDs, and software packages and it publishes assessment tools, workbooks, photo stories, biographies, and literature -- publications that enhance adults' literacy skills.

A new online tool connecting skilled workers, employers, post-secondary institutions and government is tackling fears of a looming labour crisis that is expected to produce up to 500,000 vacant jobs across the country over the next decade.

We invite you to send us information about events you may be hosting in your community or projects you may be working on to mark the occasion on or around September 8, 2012.

Frontier College is currently seeking a Program Assistant (1 year contract) to assist the Computer Training Coordinator with implementing the Virtual Learning Portal project. This portal is an online web‐based learning management system. The goal of the project is to provide an accessible literacy and learning program for all Canadians regardless of their geographical location.

The Centre for Literacy invites nominations for two (2) board members for terms beginning in September 2012. The two members will be drawn from the Montreal-Ottawa region. Travel and accommodations will be covered for three or four face-to-face meetings per year for the first year. Other meetings and interactions will take place through distance technologies.

AlphaPlus’ most recent report, Incorporating Digital Technologies in Adult Basic Education: Concepts, Practices and Recommendations, explores how digital technology is changing what it means to be literate in today’s world. It also explores the impact digital technology has on teaching and learning in Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs.

Social finance is an approach to investment or managing money that aims to deliver social and/or environmental benefits. Social finance models are being widely explored as potential new sources of funding to address social/environmental issues. Since these investments must produce both a social and a financial return, proponents assume that social finance approaches are more likely to generate innovative practices and better performance by funding recipients.

Premier Dalton McGuinty honoured the Barrie-based organization for its continued support and training to more than 100 community-based literacy agencies across the province. Community Literacy of Ontario is well-known for its leadership in online training including Literacy Basics, a self-directed online toolkit for literacy educators.

One organization that has been promoting literacy and learning among its members, for over a decade, is the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). CUPE released a new video earlier this year titled ‘Why is CUPE involved with literacy work?’