Posted: February 25, 2013 |

Category: Learning
The people of the Northwest Territories inhabit a region characterized by long, cold winters and a wide variety of languages and dialects. Based in Yellowknife, the Northwest Territories Literacy Council is active in promoting and supporting literacy and essential skills in the NWT's 11 official languages, which is "quite a challenge," according to its executive director and a member of NALD's Board of Directors.
Posted: February 25, 2013 |

Category: Learning
James Bridle, a London, UK-based editor, publisher and self-proclaimed book futurist, thinks digital technology could be used to enhance one-on-one relationships between author and readers, which he thinks will be just as valuable in the future as social online reading and writing.
Posted: February 22, 2013 |

Category: Essential skills
Six Yukon music businesses have been selected by Yukon’s Film & Sound Commission to attend a three-day Music Summit, a component of Canadian Music Week, in Toronto March 21 to 23. “These local businesspeople have clearly demonstrated their commitment to building a career in Yukon’s music industry,” Economic Development Minister Currie Dixon said.
Posted: February 22, 2013 |

Category: Essential skills
In her first jobs roundtable discussion with members of Ontario's Jobs and Prosperity Council, business leaders and young entrepreneurs, Premier Kathleen Wynne reiterated her commitment to create jobs and build a stronger economy and a fair society by ensuring our young people have the tools and confidence they need to succeed.
Posted: February 22, 2013 |

Category: Learning
Nova Scotians who want to use the Gaelic language can apply for a bursary to study in Scotland. This is the second call for applications for the bursary program, which is administered by Gaelic Affairs and funded by the Scottish government. The deadline for applications is March 8, 2013.
Posted: February 22, 2013 |

Category: Labour market
If you want to maximize your success as you climb the career ladder, and avoid slipping, here are the top 10 phrases one columnist suggests we stop using in the workplace.
Posted: February 22, 2013 |

Category: Labour market
Tens of thousands of truck drivers are approaching retirement age, but very few young people and immigrants are entering the industry. A new Conference Board of Canada report concludes that the gap between the supply of drivers and the demand for them - estimated at 25,000 by 2020 - could be costly to the Canadian economy.
Posted: February 21, 2013 |

Category: Labour market
For most organizations, defining what exactly constitutes a high-performing employee with a bright future in the company is a constantly moving target. While there are countless Top 10 Jobs of the Future lists, outlining careers in everything from business analytics to medical technology, the job title is becoming less of an identifier when it comes to strategic hiring.
Posted: February 21, 2013 |

Category: Learning
The ESL Literacy Network has launched Education Opens Doors, a video featuring the Bridge program at Bow Valley College. Funded by the Government of Alberta and Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the Bridge program is designed for immigrant youth ages 18 to 25 with interrupted formal education. This innovative program opens doors and provides pathways to further education for this unique and resilient group of learners.
Posted: February 21, 2013 |

Category: Labour market
Nine in 10 (90 per cent) chief financial officers interviewed find it very or somewhat beneficial to use temporary workers when maintaining productivity. Eighty-nine per cent of survey respondents said hiring contingent staff is an effective way to evaluate prospective first-time employees firsthand.
Posted: February 21, 2013 |

Category: Labour market
Entrepreneurs in Canada and around the world are optimistic about the year ahead, with more than half expecting to grow their workforce in 2013, Ernst & Young finds in its latest global survey. Ernst & Young's Global Job Creation report shows this anticipated growth comes on the heels of a similar trend in 2012, in which 74 per cent of respondents said they increased headcount.
Posted: February 20, 2013 |

Category: Learning
As the trend towards "internationalizing" education in Canada continues, the Study and Go Abroad Fair, recognized as Canada's largest international university and student travel expo, features a myriad of post-secondary studies from Certificate programs to Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate degrees, as well as gap year and other student travel opportunities. The student expo will take place in Montreal on March 2, Toronto March 3, and Vancouver March 5.
Posted: February 20, 2013 |

Category: Labour market
The Standard Life Assurance Company of Canada has announced a new retirement solution called "Pension in a Box," designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) offer their employees a workplace retirement plan that answers their needs. Pension in a Box is intended to help the millions of Canadians who work for an SME to save for the future, and it will also help SMEs in terms of employee retention and satisfaction.
Posted: February 20, 2013 |

Category: Essential skills
As part of its ongoing skills initiative, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has unveiled the findings of its Symposium on Skills and Small Business held in November. From the outset of the project, it has been clear Canada must upgrade the skills of its domestic workforce, including the essential skills that are critical for improved training outcomes and productivity growth.
Posted: February 20, 2013 |

Category: Labour market
Another day, another poll telling us we are not saving enough for retirement. The solution is becoming clear for Canadians — work longer. The truth of the matter is that it’s really not a bad trade-off, maybe five more years of working for a much longer retirement than our parents ever had.
Posted: February 19, 2013 |

Category: Labour market
The Talent Group Canada has been relocating talented, skilled workers, such as Class 1 & 3 drivers, Engineers, Welders, Heavy Duty Mechanics, and Framers from Ontario to positions with employers throughout Western Canada with great results for both the employer and new employee. Here are tips for organizations that will assist in making any inter-provincial relocation a success.
Posted: February 19, 2013 |

Category: Learning
This plain language newspaper is designed in the U.S. for literacy students, English language learners, immigrants and basic readers.
Posted: February 15, 2013 |

Category: Learning
This series will feature experts discussing the community impact of family literacy development, the latest research in the field of family literacy, and cultural competency.
Posted: February 15, 2013 |

Category: Essential skills
The second issue of Essential Skills Ontario's 2013 Essential Skills Bulletin Series is now available for free download on its website. PIAAC: Problem Solving in Technology-Rich Environments and the Survey of Skills Used at Work is the second of two bulletins that cover the highly anticipated international survey of adult literacy, numeracy and problem-solving skills.
Posted: February 15, 2013 |

Category: Labour market
Lisa Raitt, Canada’s Labour Minister, addressed Canada’s growing skills and labour shortage in a keynote speech at the Employer of Distinction Awards luncheon. Minister Raitt was speaking on behalf of Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. She said: "Governments, business, training institutions and other groups must work together to provide Canadians with the information, training and work experience needed for the careers that are in demand."
Posted: February 14, 2013 |

Category: Essential skills
It's often said there are no bad questions, but a new OfficeTeam survey suggests otherwise. Human resources (HR) managers were asked to recount the most unusual or surprising question they have heard a job seeker ask during an interview.
Posted: February 13, 2013 |

Category: Essential skills
An innovative new learning and development pilot project has been announced to help
Inuit build their skills and experience for potential future positions in the public service. The first group of participants is anticipated to begin their work placements in late May 2013.
Posted: February 13, 2013 |

Category: Essential skills
The Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) is proud to announce the five recipients of a prestigious career grant for 2012-2014.
Posted: February 13, 2013 |

Category: Labour market
Only a decade ago, to suggest mental health was a critical issue for Canadian businesses would have seemed ludicrous. That sentiment seems to be rapidly waning.
Posted: February 12, 2013 |

Category: Labour market
More than 20,000 people are arriving in Canada better prepared for the labour market, thanks to the Canadian Immigrant Integration Program, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney has announced.
Posted: February 12, 2013 |

Category: Learning
Rose Hip Press, "the small press with a big interest in literacy," wonders if your organization or others you know could benefit from its Activity Calendar. The calendar is now even more affordable.
Posted: February 12, 2013 |

Category: Essential skills
The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) believes that a nationally coordinated effort involving many stakeholders is required to improve the financial literacy of Canadians. CICA is planning to launch a new program in 2013 using its members to provide community-based financial education across Canada.
Posted: February 12, 2013 |

Category: Labour market
Salary gains will continue to be strong in Alberta and Saskatchewan at about four per cent this year compared with three per cent nationally, according to The Conference Board of Canada’s Mid-Year Pulse Check of its annual compensation planning outlook survey.
Posted: February 12, 2013 |

Category: Learning
According to research from TD Canada Trust, for 40% of Canadians, retirement was the first time they had the time to spend on the hobbies they love. Whether those plans include travelling the globe, mastering skills like gourmet cooking or just taking time to volunteer, retirement offers the opportunity to explore new interests and discover new passions.
Posted: February 12, 2013 |

Category: Learning
The Adult Basic Education Association of British Columbia will host its Conference 2013 May 2-3, 2013, at Harrison Hot Springs. Practitioners, researchers and others involved in the field of Adult Basic Education are invited to submit proposals for 90-minute presentations reflecting the 2013 Conference theme 'The Education Jigsaw - Fitting Adults into the Puzzle.' The deadline is February 28.