KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, April 10, 2007 — Mr. Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced $78,952 in funding for a project that will improve literacy in the workplace for underskilled workers.
"Canada's new government has taken important steps to better focus its investments in a number of areas, to maximize results, and to ensure that tax dollars are well spent and are meeting the needs of Canadians," stated Mr. Cannan. "With this funding, the Project Literacy Kelowna Society will recruit volunteer tutors to work with 35 underskilled workers to help fill the gaps in the trades and technology sectors in our community."
Mr. Cannan made this announcement at an event hosted by Project Literacy. Through this, over 12 months, Project Literacy will recruit experienced trade professionals to work as volunteer tutors with underskilled workers. Project Literacy will also adapt learning and literacy materials to specific trades of the learners and develop resource material for the ten most common trades. The project will empower and motivate trade workers while helping them to develop key literacy and numeracy skills, as well as knowledge required for employment, further education, and active participation in the community.
Workplace literacy refers to the essential skills that people need at work such as reading, writing and math, as well as critical thinking and problem solving. Literacy levels are linked to quality of life, employment, health and self-esteem. Statistics Canada estimates that a 1 per cent increase in average literacy and numeracy skills would permanently raise the Gross Domestic Product per capita by 1.5 per cent.
Literacy programs and activities across Canada are supported by the federal, provincial and territorial governments, as well as a variety of businesses and voluntary organizations. Canada's new government welcomes the opportunity to work with partner organizations across the country to help Canadians improve their literacy skills and build better lives.
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For more information (media only):
Lesley Harmer
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Monte Solberg
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
