Search Results

'Towards a fully literate Canada' is the title that the Advisory Committee has adopted for its report. This title expresses in clear language the Committee's primary recommendation. The Government of Canada, in full partnership with the provinces and territories, should commit itself to the goal of a fully literate country by adopting, implementing and promoting a comprehensive Pan-Canadian Literacy Strategy. This paper makes the case that strong and focussed leadership is required to meet Canada's literacy challenges. Only bold action will serve the social, economic, cultural and political interests of every person who lives in our country, regardless of their circumstances. Canadian governments know that a society that is literate and engaged reaps social and economic benefits that enrich individuals, families and communities as well as the economy upon which their prosperity depends. Literacy opens the door to increased productivity. But ours is not a fully literate country. While we presently enjoy the rewards of an advanced knowledge-based society and economy, both of these pillars rest on a weak foundation. On November 9th 2005, Statistics Canada reported the initial results of the International Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (IALLS), the Canadian results from the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (ALLS) released by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in May 2005 [see report at TD/TNC 84.222]. Statistics Canada reported that almost 9 million Canadian adults aged 16 to 65, or 42% of the working age population, have literacy skills that are below the level required to function effectively in a knowledge-based economy and society. The proportion of the working aged adult population with low literacy skills remains exactly as it was in 1994.

Published summary reprinted with permission from NALD. Show less

The Gateway to Work pilots were introduced into the Gateway period of New Deal 25 plus in 2003, following the national roll out of a similar course on New Deal for Young People in July 2000. Gateway to Work is a two week, full-time training programme which is mandatory for jobseekers that have been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance four weeks after joining Gateway. The course provides soft skills training in areas such as communication, team building and problem solving as well as CV [curriculum vitae] writing, interview techniques and support with applying for jobs. The specific objectives of Gateway to Work were to: increase the numbers of people moving into jobs in the early stages of Gateway; reduce the level of Gateway overstayers; improve the participants’ motivation and ability to participate in their IAP [Intensive Activity Period]; improve participants’ readiness for employment. The pilots have taken place in four areas: London (across every district), Manchester, Swansea and Dundee. These formally ended in March 2006. The key aims of this study have been to: identify and explore the impact of the pilots; identify best practice, in terms of which elements of Gateway to Work have been most effective in moving clients into employment. This report draws together the findings from qualitative field work undertaken by GHK and quantitative analysis of administrative data and statistics undertaken by the Unemployment Analysis Team at the Department for Work and Pensions. The qualitative element consisted of four case studies across participating pilot areas involving a combination of face-to-face and telephone interviews with staff in district offices, local offices and some providers.

Published abstract reprinted by permission of the copyright owner. Show less