National Adult Literacy Database

Perhaps because of the relentlessly bleak climate, many students now accept that their path to a stable lifestyle may involve years pin balling their way up the ranks with a mixture of interning, contract work and networking. As a result, they have been calling for more work experience – like internships or field work – to be built into their education.

The Trucking Human Resource Sector Council Atlantic is receiving over $640,000 to study literacy and essential skills levels among employees. The study will allow the industry to better assess the impact of literacy and essential skills on safety, productivity and employment patterns. From this study, a toolkit will be developed to help employers address essential skills challenges in the workplace.

Please take a few minutes to fill out this short feedback survey regarding ABC Life Literacy Canada's and Natrel Baboo's joint project: Family Literacy Resources for New Parents. The survey must be completed before 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, May 24, 2013, for your chance to win a Family Literacy Day prize pack.

Following a decline the previous month, employment was little changed in April and the unemployment rate remained at 7.2%. Compared with 12 months earlier, employment increased 0.9% or 163,000, all in full-time work. The total number of hours worked rose by 1.5% over the same period.

In the coming months, the Government of Canada will take several steps to bring players together and stimulate innovative ideas for addressing social and economic challenges. The Government will look to leaders in the social finance sector, such as the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, the Centre for Impact Investing at MaRS, Vancouver City Savings Credit Union, Social Capital Partners, and others to help identify a way forward.

Learning disabilities are commonly considered a school-based issue; but struggling in school means struggling in life. This makes learning to be confident and acquiring a healthy mental attitude a particular challenge for those with learning disabilities. With children and youth as this year's focus for Mental Health Awareness Week, I would like to call attention to the relationship between mental health issues and learning disabilities.

Nearly half of the 46 mid-sized Canadian cities covered in The Conference Board of Canada's first Mid-Sized Cities Outlook 2013 have not recovered all the jobs lost during the recession, based on historical economic data between 2005 and 2012.

If you are involved in the provision of Literacy and Essential Skills programs and services, exclusively or as part of other services you deliver, to adults, as a paid teacher/instructor, skills assessor, program/curriculum developer, administrator, coordinator or manager, this survey is for you.

Beginning in January 2014, the GED® test will move from a paper-based to a computer-based format, which simply means that you will complete the test using a computer and not on paper. The test content will remain the same – five tests: Language Arts, Reading; Language Arts, Writing; Social Studies; Science; and Math.

Overly restrictive and “antiquated” provincial regulations are contributing to a shortage of young apprentices and starving the economy of badly needed skilled workers, according to a C.D. Howe Institute study.

“Throughout its long history, the literacy and essential skills field has continually evolved and adapted in response to the changing needs of adults. This timeline captures some of the important people, events, initiatives and other influences that have helped shape the literacy and essential skills field in Canada over the past 200 years.” -- Essential Skills Ontario

Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, have announced reforms to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. “Canada is experiencing significant skills shortages in many sectors and regions, and Canadians must always have first crack at job opportunities when they become available,” said Minister Finley.

The Reaching IN...Reaching OUT (RIRO) trainer “intensive” prepares you to offer the RIRO Resiliency Skills Training program to service providers in your community who work with children seven years and under and their families. Join more than 200 trainers from across Canada in delivering this well-regarded program to local communities.

The ACCC Board is pleased to announce it has named Denise Amyot as the new President and CEO of the Association, effective June 4, 2013. Ms. Amyot most recently served as President and CEO of the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation, where she built on her track record of leadership excellence by implementing a strategic plan emphasizing beneficial partnerships with private sector, government institutions, not-for-profit organizations and academia.

ABC Life Literacy Canada’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Gillian Mason as the new president of the national non-profit adult literacy and essential skills organization. Ms. Mason will begin her new role on May 21, 2013.