FREDERICTON, NEW BRUNSWICK, April 7, 2010—Aboriginal adults with low literacy will benefit from a federally funded project aimed at improving literacy and essential skills training. The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Minister for the Atlantic Gateway and Member of Parliament for Fredericton, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
“Our government believes that working with partners to improve literacy and essential skills is the best way to help adult Canadians get jobs and build better futures,” said Minister Ashfield. “In today’s economic environment, it is more important than ever that Aboriginal people have the skills they need to participate in the job market.”
The Joint Economic Development Initiative will receive $936,300 for its New Brunswick Aboriginal Workplace Essential Skills Project, through the Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program. Based on the existing Workplace Essential Skills curriculum, this project will adapt the program to the needs of Aboriginal adult learners. Once the new program and learning tools are developed, they will be tested and adapted through pilot projects to increase the literacy and essential skills of on- and off-reserve Aboriginal adult learners in the Maliseet First Nations and the Mi’kmaq communities.
“WES training for adult learners and employers alike provides an accelerated pathway to skills improvement. Training in essential skills will help us as a province to increase labour force participation, address labour market needs and improve adult literacy levels,” said the Honourable Rick Brewer, Minister of Human Resources and Minister responsible for the Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat for New Brunswick. “One of the substantial outcomes of the current partnership between NBAWES and the Department will be a culturally relevant WES curriculum, available for all First Nations communities in the province. This partnership is another example of how we are providing New Brunswickers the best opportunities to learn while helping to address the literacy challenges we are facing in our province.”
Through the Training and Skills Development program, the Province is also contributing close to $300,000 in training support to individuals participating in this initiative. The curriculum from the provincial Workplace Essential Skills program will also be contributed to this initiative.
“Working with the federal and provincial governments to improve the literacy rates of the on- and off-reserve Aboriginal adults in New Brunswick will help stimulate economic development in our communities,” said Mr. Alex Dedam, President of the Joint Economic Development Initiative. “The Aboriginal population is the fastest growing in Canada, and we are the workforce of tomorrow. Proactive investments are needed, and I am proud that this spirit of collaboration continues.”
The Government of Canada’s Office of Literacy and Essential Skills works with partners such as provincial and territorial governments, employers and community organizations to provide Canadians with the tools and supports they need to maximize opportunities for themselves, their families and their communities.
Improving adult Canadians’ literacy and essential skills is a key part of the Government’s commitment to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world.
The Government underscored this commitment in Canada’s Economic Action Plan. A key component of the Plan is to create more opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For further information (media only):
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
About the Office of Literacy and Essential Skills
The Government of Canada created the Office of Literacy and Essential Skills as a centre of expertise to help increase the literacy and essential skills of adult Canadians.
While Canada currently faces economic uncertainty, skills shortages remain a significant challenge. With a budget of $36 million in 2009–2010, the Government of Canada—through the Office of Literacy and Essential Skills—is investing to ensure that Canadians have the literacy and essential skills they need to participate fully in the labour market and in their communities.
About the organization
Launched in 1995, the Joint Economic Development Initiative is a collaboration of federal, provincial and Aboriginal representatives, which aims to stimulate economic development in the Aboriginal communities (both on and off reserve) in New Brunswick, by removing barriers and enabling access to the economic development programs of both governments.
