National Adult Literacy Database

"Why is having pride so important in the skilled trades? Because it pushes people to do better — and these are definitely industries where you want people to do their best. People who are proud of their work will put in the extra hours to learn a new technique. They’ll talk to colleagues about what works and what doesn’t." — Mike Holmes

Early bird registration for the Summer Institute 2012 in Montreal is open until May 1, 2012. The event, set for June 27-29, will focus on questions about the roles of context and culture as factors in program outcomes.

According to the latest Randstad Workmonitor study, one out of three Canadians say they are very satisfied with their current employer - placing Canadians at the highest employee satisfaction levels reported globally.

Canada’s economy was near full employment before the 2008-09 recession. Although Canada has recovered all the jobs lost during the recession, it will take another four years to bring the unemployment rate back down to about six per cent.

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.

The worksite recruitment phase of the Measures of Success research project has now ended. Eighteen worksites – including 10 in Manitoba and eight in Nova Scotia – were successfully recruited and are participating in the project.

“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.

Following four months of little change, employment increased by 82,000 in March, mostly in full-time work. This brought the unemployment rate down 0.2 percentage points to 7.2 per cent.

The world premiere of "The Hockey Sweater" musical will be hosted by famed Montreal Canadiens goaltender Ken Dryden and narrated by the original author himself, Roch Carrier. Mr. Carrier is the honorary chairperson of NALD.

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.

From hairdressing to welding, the skilled trades are changing. Come learn how. Why would a carpenter or welder need to use a computer? How do hairstylists’ math skills help them get ahead?