Jobless and youth get literacy boost
$3.1 million goes toward skills development
Karen K. Ho
Northern News Services
Monday, August 3, 2015
NUNAVUT
The Nunavut Literacy Council will receive part of $3.1 million in funding for a new project developed in partnership with literacy groups from the other two territories.
Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq, pictured here on Jan. 15 in Iqaluit, recently announced $3.1 in funding for a new skills training initiative involving literacy. - NNSL file photo |
According to Katie Randall of the NWT Literacy Council, the funds will be spread over three years and split among the three territories.
"This is a pilot project," she stated in an e-mail. "The funding is for training for youth out of school and unemployed adults who may need to upgrade their literacy and other essential skills. The training will embed literacy and essential skills into training so that people are learning technical skills related to each area. For example, good customer relations, as well as improving their literacy and essential skills."
As part of the funding, a new organization, the Northern Alliance for Literacy and Essential Skills (NALES) will work with members in each of the territories to integrate literacy and skills training into workplace training programs. According to a news release issued by Employment and Social Development Canada, the emphasis will be on reading, writing, document use, numeracy, computer use, thinking, oral communication, working with others and continuous learning.
"This federal funding will allow NALES to expand its work in literacy and essential skills training, which will increase opportunities for Northerners to successfully enter the labour market," said Nunavut Literacy Council project director Cayla Chenier in a written statement.
The literacy council's project and partnership co-ordinator, Guillaume Charron, told Nunavut News/North that six months into the project, his organization is currently engaging and building community partnerships with various organizations and businesses.
"With that being said, in order to develop strong partnerships with community based organizations it is not possible at this time to discuss ... the development of these partnerships before they are established," he said.
The announcement was made by Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq and Yukon MP Ryan Leef.
