National Adult Literacy Database

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?’

"I have no trouble remembering my first class with Frontier College: in an old railway box car, with five or six tired, but expectant faces looking up at a green, cloth “blackboard” tacked to the wall, where some English idioms and their Portuguese equivalents were chalked up in columns. My education began that evening. It’s still going on. Thank you, Frontier College. You gave me my teaching life." -- Colin Brzezicki

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada has awarded $199,721 to support a partnership project that targets university students at risk for academic difficulties because of a history of unidentified reading difficulties. NALD is part of the project’s knowledge dissemination team.

A career coach says victims of workplace bullying can't be afraid to complain to the company or even to take legal action. You need to stand up for yourself, and you must do it immediately. You should begin by documenting the instances of the behaviour that you feel is bullying in as much detail as possible.

With this support, 400 northern youth aged 14 to 30 will begin a dialogue with mentors. These 400 young people will be exposed to Canadians professionals and given examples of potential career avenues in the rest of Canada, while also incorporating local values and local opportunities that reflect the reality of Yukon careers, history, and heritage. Mentors will gain awareness and knowledge about Canada's North and its people.