 eNews February 2010 | Volume 7 | Issue 6 |
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
| Adult Learners' Week Writing Contest Update | |||||||||||||||
|
Writing is an essential skill used in nearly every job and everyday life. Literacy Nova Scotia invited
adult learners to think about Adult Learners' Week's theme Opening Possibilities through Learningby putting words to
paper or their images and story on video as we prepare to celebrate UNESCO's International Adult Learners' Week, March 1 - 7, 2010.
Over 80 entries from four categories were received for the contest from learners in Adult Learning Programs across the province. One winner will be chosen from each of the following groups: 
The winners will be contacted on February 22 and will be guests of honour at the Adult Learners' Week Reception at Province House on March 2 where they will read their story to the audience. The contest winners will be featured in the next issue of The Learning Beacon, The LNS e-zine: http://www.ns.literacy.ca/TheLearningBeacon/index.html As part of the celebration of International Adult Learners' Week, all entries including the author's name and program will be published in an electronic booklet. Click here to view contest winners and submissions from past years: http://www.ns.literacy.ca/alw.htm Literacy Nova Scotia acknowledges and thanks the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Workforce Development for their funding support to make this event possible. |
|||||||||||||||
| Practitioner Training Project Update | |||||||||||||||
|
Module 3: Integrating Information Technology (IT) into Your Teaching was offered to two groups with a total of 22 participants
during January and February. The assignment for this module was to take on some software that was challenging and choose a topic
that meshed with their knowledge of the software. For example, if the software was very challenging, they would pick a topic that
requires little or no research. Participants could choose to share a story about themselves: how they got involved in adult
literacy work or a self portrait as a person involved in adult literacy. They could choose to inform the audience about their
literacy program, adult literacy, or NSSAL (Nova Scotia School of Adult Learning). Or they could choose to pick some aspect of
adult literacy they are passionate about, and persuade us of the importance of the topic. Some suggestions for software to use
for the assignment were to make a video or photo story, a comic book, a poster, a prezi or powerpoint presentation.
As usual, the participants responded with enthusiasm and creativity...so much so that we are encouraging them 'not to hide their light under a bushel!' We received videos, comics, posters, and presentations. Here's a sampling of the talent: Andre Davey chose to acquire a new skill using stop animation with a simple subject matter of angle and triangle recognition. Andre writes: "Unfortunately due to the limitations set by the free software demo I was unable to do the extent of editing I would have liked. This resulted in condensing my original script and a vocal cadence that is a bit faster than I would have liked." You can also watch the video by clicking here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjhP3vISXks |
|||||||||||||||
| Update on LNS Creative Writing Workshops | |||||||||||||||
In January and February, Literacy Nova Scotia held six writing workshops for learners in Adult Learning Programs in the
following locations: Amherst, Halifax, Barrington Passage, Windsor, Antigonish and Eskasoni.
The workshops were facilitated by Jenni Blackmore, published author and illustrator from Halifax. Over 90 adult learners attended the popular workshops where they learned about the writing process, generating ideas and getting them down on paper, examining their work and rewriting. Learners were given the opportunity to experience the magic of writing and trusting their own voices as writers. Literacy Nova Scotia acknowledges and thanks the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Workforce Development for their funding support to make these workshops possible. |
|||||||||||||||
| PD Fund for Community-based Literacy Organizations | |||||||||||||||
|
The PD Fund committee, consisting of representatives from the Adult Education Division and Literacy Nova Scotia, as per its mandate, met
recently to conduct a yearly review of the ALP Professional Development guidelines and application process.
The committee made changes to who can apply for funding, as well as increasing the amounts for both individuals and groups. All changes and an updated application form, which asks for more detailed budget information is available on our website: http://www.ns.literacy.ca/pdfund.htm Please note the following changes which will take effect immediately. Who can apply to the PD Fund: Community learning organizations funded under the Nova Scotia School of Adult Learning can apply for funding for their staff and volunteers but not adult literacy learners. The PD Fund covers PD activities for individuals and groups within the organization. This includes opportunities for:
Maximum amounts for funding:
|
|||||||||||||||
| What's New | |||||||||||||||
| Nova Scotia Workers Lack Right Skills, with Job Shortage Looming | |||||||||||||||
|
NS Workers Lack Right Skills, with Job Shortage Looming
By PAT LEE, Staff Reporter Halifax Chronicle Herald http://thechronicleherald.ca/ February 17, 2010 The confluence of an aging workforce and fewer employees will leave the province struggling for workers in less than five years, says Nova Scotia's labour minister. Speaking to the Halifax Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Marilyn More said the province's labour force is expected to shrink by 18,500 jobs by 2014. That same year, 40,000 people are expected to retire. "Nova Scotia's impending labour shortage has been a concern for some time," said More, who also holds the education portfolio. She said the problem is made worse by many workers being unqualified for the jobs that are available. "Our workforce does not possess sufficient skills, learning or experience for many of the positions that are coming vacant," More told the business group. "Labour shortages are already occurring in some sectors, for example farm harvesters, to retail managers to health care." More said taking measures to increase Nova Scotia's population won't solve the problem, although the province remains committed to attracting more immigrants. "Even if we double our immigration . . . we will still fall far below the immigration levels needed to meet our labour requirements." More said the government will instead focus its efforts on the labour force that's here, promoting increased workplace "literacy." She said about 38 per cent of the current workforce is undereducated and lacks the skills to move forward in a knowledge-based economy. "Thirty-eight per cent in a province that's home to 11 universities, 13 Nova Scotia Community College campuses and scores of private career colleges," she said. The days of a high school dropout walking into a high-paying job are long gone and students must be encouraged to get the training needed to enter the workforce, she said. "More than 55 per cent of all new jobs will require some level of post-secondary education." Along with ensuring graduates are prepared for the workplace, More said those with jobs also need ongoing training. She said upgrades are sometimes as simple as receiving a refresher course of subjects covered in grade school. "A lot of gains can be made with small interventions," she said. But More said employees and employers alike are going to have to work hard to keep up with the needs of a global economy and rapidly changing technology. She said the province is partnering with Ottawa on job initiatives, as well as providing some debt relief to encourage post-secondary graduates to stay in Nova Scotia to work. The province also has programs to encourage retirees to re-enter the workforce. plee@herald.ca |
|||||||||||||||
| Ignatieff wants National Strategy on Learning: The Fredericton Daily Gleaner | |||||||||||||||
|
Literacy Rates | More needs to be done, says Liberal leader By ADAM HURAS Canadaeast News Service Published Tuesday February 23rd, 2010 in the Fredericton Daily Gleaner MONCTON - Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff says a national strategy on learning is needed to boost literacy rates in Atlantic Canada and across the country. Ignatieff warned Monday that low literacy levels can cause both labour shortages and high unemployment. "We're looking at that demographic transition where the baby boomers grow up and then we will be in that weird situation of having labour shortages and high unemployment," he said during a speech to a Liberal party roundtable on the region's economy. "And we will have both of them because we don't have the skilled and qualified people to fill those spots." About 150 people attended the roundtable, part of a series the Liberals have held since Parliament was prorogued in late December. Following a discussion on the future economy of Atlantic Canada and the occupational skill sets needed to sustain it, Ignatieff said there's a role for the federal government to play in ensuring a sound knowledge base. "People say to me, 'But that's not a federal responsibility; education is provincial,' " he said. "But this is about national leadership and national strategy. "We need a national strategy on learning." Only 52 per cent of Canadians, aged 16 and older, have Level 3 literacy proficiency, according to Statistics Canada. Level 3 is generally considered to be the minimum level of literacy required to function well at work and in daily living. "So the colleges have to step up, the universities have to step up," Ignatieff said. "We cannot afford to be a country where more than 40 per cent of our fellow citizens have literacy levels below Level 3." Colin Dodds, chairman of the Association of Atlantic Universities, said Canadian universities are failing their students in providing literacy proficiency. "We do a super job in English second-language training for our international students and we have done a wonderful job increasing the number of our international students," said Dodds, president of Saint Mary's University in Halifax. "But we also have to put in programs within our degree programs that ensure everyone has to be proficient." Dodds said 70-75 per cent of new jobs are going to require post-secondary education and that immigration won't be enough to stabilize a shrinking population and fill the need for skilled workers. "You have to try to arrest the decline, but you won't be able to reverse it," he said. "You are going to have to rely more on the population you've got. "If you map out your asset base as to what jobs we are likely to have in the future, we can then gear ourselves towards educating people for those positions." Dr. Rodney Ouellette, president and CEO of the Moncton-based Atlantic Cancer Research Institute, said the Atlantic region doesn't have that structure in place."We have very few universities in our region that offer graduate-level programs in our field of study," he said. "So once students get to their third- or fourth-year level, they are already looking at other options of where they could pursue their PhD, and that is often outside the region. "Our best grads leave." Ignatieff said a better immigration policy for skilled workers and international students is another way to ease looming demographic pressures, but he insisted that a national strategy to improve literacy scores is necessary. |
|||||||||||||||
| Office of Literacy and Essential Skills - Evaluation of Tools | |||||||||||||||
|
The Office of Literacy and Essential Skills is undertaking a review of the Literacy and Essential Skills tools it has developed. They are requesting your participation in this exercise.
Please note that the information that will be provided is for research purposes only and will be administered in accordance with the Privacy Act and other applicable privacy laws. Specific interview responses will not be attributed to you in any report resulting from this study. It will take you about 5 minutes to complete the questionnaire. To participate, please email es-ce@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca to participate by telephone interview or to request the questionnaire file. The main focus of this review is to increase their knowledge and understanding about the effectiveness of the tools and how they are being used. Your participation in this review is voluntary and will not affect any future dealings with HRSDC. Your response would be appreciated before March 5, 2010. Please forward the questionnaire to other stakeholders as appropriate. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact them at es-ce@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca. Contact Name: Jean-François Roussy Director, Policy and Planning |
|||||||||||||||
| Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) Awards of Excellence for Municipal Workplace Literacy and Learning Achievements | |||||||||||||||
 The deadline for the CAMA Awards of Excellence for Municipal Workplace Literacy and Learning Achievements is March 12, 2010.For more information, go to: http://www.camacam.ca/en/literacylearning/awardcriteria.asp |
|||||||||||||||
| NALD Innovative Technology Award: Call for Nominations | |||||||||||||||
The Board of Directors of the National Adult Literacy Database (NALD) is pleased to announce the creation of the NALD Innovative Technology Award. The nomination process is now open and submissions will be accepted until March 1, 2010. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in developing and implementing a technology initiative that contributes to the advancement of adult literacy and essential skills. Specifically, the product, project or service should promote, support and/or facilitate knowledge exchange within the adult literacy community. For more information on the NALD Innovative Technology Award, read the nomination criteria ( PDF) and the application form ( Microsoft Word). You may also phone 1-800-720-NALD (6253) or write to contactnald@nald.ca . |
|||||||||||||||
| Headline News - National Adult Literacy Database | |||||||||||||||
|
NALD Headline News: News flashes, media releases, announcements, call for papers and new information from the Canadian literacy community and elsewhere.
http://www.nald.ca/info/whatnew/headline/headline.htm
|
|||||||||||||||
| 2010 Provincial Volunteer Awards | |||||||||||||||
Do you know a volunteer within your organization/group or community that deserves recognition? If so, Recreation Nova Scotia wants to hear from you! Recreation Nova Scotia is seeking nominations for the 36th Annual Provincial Volunteers Award Ceremony. Four specialty awards will be presented in the categories of Youth, Family, Corporate and Community. For more information and to obtain nomination forms go to http://www.recreationns.ns.ca or contact Michelle at 425-1128. Nominations are to be submitted to Recreation Nova Scotia on or before March 4th. Recreation Nova Scotia also carries a selection of Volunteer recognition items that are available for sale. New this year - All youth nominee's will attend a luncheon with the Minister of Volunteerism, Justice and Community Services. Your support and consideration of these volunteer awards is greatly appreciated. Please feel free to circulate this information to anyone you think may be interested. |
|||||||||||||||
| Events | |||||||||||||||
| International Adult Learners' Week: March 1 - 7, 2010 | |||||||||||||||
|
International Adult Learners' Week (IALW) 2010 in Canada will be held from March 1st through March 7th.
The Week celebrates adult learners across the country and the joy of learning throughout life. For more information, go to: http://www.unesco.ca/en/activity/education/AdultLearners.aspx 
|
|||||||||||||||
| Adult Learners Statement on International Literacy Day from Uganda | |||||||||||||||
|
ADULT LEARNERS' STATEMENT: "EDUCATION HAS NO AGE LIMIT"
Adult Learners Statement of facts on 8th September 2009 at Lira District Appreciation: The Adult Learners of Uganda thank the Government for the establishment of the National Adult Literacy Strategic Investment Plan [NALSIP] in 2002/3 2006/7 Through the implementation of NALSIP, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and its civil society [NGOs] partners have enabled 
thousands of non-literate Ugandans to enjoy and exercise their right to education through the provision of adult literacy education classes. The NALSIP estimated that 7 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate; other millions have basic literacy skills far below what is
considered adequate for earning a proper living in today's society.
We wish to greatly extend our gratitude to His Excellency, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his tremendous support to adult literacy not only through availing funds to the Ministry of Gender but also the back up support of UPE and USE. I would like to take this opportunity to inform His Excellence that on side of Civil Society Organisations at the national level, our organisation (Uganda Literacy and Adult Learners' Association ULALA) is only adult learners' CSO bring us together to discuss issues related on literacy and adult basic education programs in Uganda and also we are working with Ministry of Gender, Labour and social Development. ULALA takes this opportunity to affirm that the Functional Adult Literacy Programme and other related adult literacy education activities are a valuable contribution to efforts in improving our living conditions. We acquire basic skills like reading, writing, and numeracy as well nutrition, hygiene and sanitation which help us to fit in society, look after our families and run businesses, that Education is a lifelong process that everybody needs to invest in. Adult Learners believe:
Adult learners' challenges:
Learners' Proposals for action:
Adult Learners requests/demands:
"NOTHING FOR US WITHOUT US" "FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY" Ms. Kakembo Lukia Learner's Representative (ULALA) Uganda Literacy and Adult Learners' Association (ULALA) PO BOX 22439 Kampala Uganda Tel: +256 772 465 909 Email: ulalaki@netscape.net |
|||||||||||||||
| Canadian Network for Innovation in Education Conference | |||||||||||||||
 Canadian Network for Innovation in Education Conference Location: Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada May 16 - 19, 2010 The Canadian Network for Innovation in Education (CNIE) 2010 is pleased to offer you an opportunity to become an exhibitor or sponsor at the upcoming conference, May 16 - 19, 2010. The Canadian Network for Innovation in Education (CNIE) 2010 conference is expecting to welcome over 300 national and international delegates working in the fields of education technology, health education, K-12 education, multi-media design and distance learning. www.innovationineducation.ca |
|||||||||||||||
| Grassroots Philanthropy | |||||||||||||||
During 2009 and 2010, a unique, intensive professional development experience in grassroots philanthropy is being offered by the
Tatamagouche Centre and WinterGreens Consulting.There are three parts to this in-depth experience: 1. Introductory Workshop on Grassroots Philanthropy to get your Board, staff and volunteers to start thinking differently about how you raise money. Half-day workshops will be offered between October 2009 and March 2010 2. Reliable Fundraising in Unreliable Times with Kim Klein - a legend and pioneer for nonprofits of all sizes and types. One day workshop is offered in HRM on Thursday, April 29, 2010 3. How Your Organization Can Build Renewable Income Streams - an intensive weekend with Kim Klein to deepen your hands-on knowledge at the Tatamagouche Centre from Friday, April 30 to Sunday, May 2, 2010. For more information, go to: http://www.recreationns.ns.ca/files/Tatamagouche%20fundraising_brochure.pdf |
|||||||||||||||
| Nova Scotia Learning Disabilities Conference | |||||||||||||||
|
Online registration is currently up and running!
Visit http://www.nsldconference.ca/ and preview the schedule and renowned speakers they have lined up for the next conference. Register early to ensure you get into your first choice of sessions! Also, take note of their special Early Bird Registration Draw information on the website! |
|||||||||||||||
| National Family Literacy Conference | |||||||||||||||
Cultivating Connections, Global Perspectives & Practices in Family LiteracyJuly 15-17, 2010 Shaw Conference Centre Edmonton, AB Website: http://famlit.ca/ccc/ Conference postcard: http://www.famlit.ca/Conference_Postcard_09.pdf Registration Now Open! Over 80 sessions to choose from, plus seven remarkable keynote speakers. Cultivating Connections: Global Perspectives & Practices in Family Literacy is an exciting opportunity for national and international family literacy experts and practitioners to come together and share knowledge, resources, perspectives and experiences. The conference will take place at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, from July 15 - 17, 2010, with three days of pre-conference training from July 12 - 14. Keynote speakers include Elsa Auerbach, Snoeks Desmond, Eve Gregory, Peter Hannon, Tomson Highway, Thomas King and Thomas Sticht. Join with Canadian and international family literacy experts and practitioners to share information and explore opportunities for growth - register now at www.CultivatingConnectionsConference.ca We ask that you please forward this important information to your colleagues and networks. For more information, please contact conference@famlit.ca |
|||||||||||||||
| 2010 International Recognizing Learning Conference | |||||||||||||||
|
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
The 2010 international Recognizing Learning conference will be taking place in Ottawa on November 6-9, 2010 at the Marriott Hotel, marking the 15th anniversary of the first national PLAR forum which took place in the same city in 1995. The theme will be on the recognition for prior learning (RPL) systems through the lens of sustainable development. A Call for Presentations will be posted on the CAPLA website in March. For more information please visit the CAPLA website at www.capla.ca or call 1-877-731-1333. |
|||||||||||||||
| Provincial Human Rights Legislation Workshops | |||||||||||||||
|
The Human Rights Commission conducts workshops on provincial human rights legislation as it applies to various workplaces.Following the success of two human rights education workshops in the fall of 2009, they have planned two new one-day workshops for
spring 2010.
This year they are conducting one workshop in the Annapolis Valley and one in Halifax. Dates for our one-day workshops are: Halifax - Wednesday April 21, 2010 Kentville - Wednesday April 28, 2010 They are also starting to book for their five-day "Creating Cultural and Organizational Change" workshop which will take place from June 14 to 18, 2010 in Halifax. If you are interested in participating in any of these workshops, or for further information on registration, location and cost of workshops, please contact: Barbara Holmes, Administrative Support Ph: 902-424-7282 E-mail: holmesbe@gov.ns.ca Please note that they have room for 20 participants in each workshop, so booking early is important. Please visit their website for more information on our training products: http://www.gov.ns.ca/humanrights/education-training-workshops.asp Their previous participants have recognized the benefits of the information we provide and recommend it to others. A testimonial: "It was worth our time, energy and money. It was a great week of training, we all had our eyes opened a bit more and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We feel more comfortable .... this can be attributed to the Commission's ability to focus on our needs." Former participants in their workshops include: HR professionals, managers, private consultants and community members, all seeking to increase their knowledge of human rights as it applies to their personal and work lives. |
|||||||||||||||
| The Centre for Literacy: Summer Institute 2010 | |||||||||||||||
|
The Centre for Literacy is pleased to announce this year's topic for Summer Institute 2010 - Workplace Literacy & Essential Skills:
What Counts? and Why? Last year we explored the issues of what works in workplace literacy and essential skills. This year's institute
builds on and enlarges the themes and questions raised at the 2009 Summer Institute which posed the question What Works? and Why?
The three-day institute will be held in Montreal, QC, Canada on June 28-30, 2010 and will bring together policy-makers, providers and researchers from across Canada and abroad to consider issues of Workplace Literacy & Essential Skills. Designed as a participatory learning forum, the Institute has invited Dr. Jan Eldred, Associate Director of NIACE and a principal researcher on Catching Confidence, to introduce the tool and offer recent input from the UK. We have also invited Dr. John Benseman, principal researcher of a comprehensive three year study conducted by the Department of Labour, Government of New Zealand to discuss the final results and insights from that study. For more information, go to: http://www.centreforliteracy.qc.ca/inst/sli2010/CFL_SUM_INSTITUTE_2010_FINAL.pdf |
|||||||||||||||
| Resources | |||||||||||||||
| The Learning Link - February 2010 | |||||||||||||||
|
Growing the Green Generation
With the demand for green jobs surging, research shows that Canada's workforce is ill-prepared to meet the need. The number of jobs in the environmental sector has been growing steadily yet enrolment in post-secondary environmental programs has dropped 9% since 1999. The latest article in CCL's Lessons in Learning series investigates this looming employment deficit and offers up a number of solutions. http://www.ccl-cca.ca/CCL/Newsroom/LearningLink/LearningLink20100210.htm?Language=EN |
|||||||||||||||
| Literacy Fact Sheets on Workplace Literacy and Essential Skills | |||||||||||||||
|
The CAMA Literacy and Essential Skills in Municipal Workplaces Project has developed a six part series of fact sheets on workplace
literacy and essential skills. The fact sheets are:
Myths and facts about workplace literacy and essential skills Why municipal workplaces are involved in literacy and essential skills How municipal workplaces are tackling the issues Challenges and solutions Best Practices What will your return on investment be? |
|||||||||||||||
| New OLES Tools Now Available | |||||||||||||||
|
The Office of Literacy and Essential Skills has developed a series of free and easy-to-use tools to help address different
literacy and essential skills challenges. The tools offer employers, learners and practitioners support in the following four areas:
Awareness: Understand how literacy and essential skills are used in the workplace and community; Assessment: Understand literacy and essential skills strengths and weaknesses of an organization or an individual; Learning: Improve literacy and essential skills levels; and Training: Support the delivery of literacy and essential skills training. For more information, go to: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca |
|||||||||||||||
| HR Perspectives Newsletter | |||||||||||||||
| Back to the Top |
