Advanced Education and Skills
September 7, 2012

Adult Learning Advanced through $1.2 Million in Funding
and Literacy Champion Campaign

Literacy and adult learning will be highlighted tomorrow (Saturday, September 8), through International Literacy Day. In Newfoundland and Labrador, adult learning is being advanced through the investment of $1.2 million for Provincial Literacy Grants. The Provincial Government is also celebrating literacy through its participation in the launch of an awareness campaign.

“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes that advancing literacy across this province opens opportunities for people and companies to learn, succeed and contribute to our province’s success,” said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills. “International Literacy Day helps showcase that strong literacy skills are an essential piece to building a successful life – everyday tasks such as reading to your children, helping with homework or reading a prescription label become easier when literacy skills are improved.”

The Provincial Literacy Grants were provided to 15 community-based organizations across Newfoundland and Labrador to assist them in delivering programs to people in their communities, such as Adult Basic Education and literacy tutoring. Funding is provided by the Provincial Government and through the federal/provincial Labour Market Agreement.

The awareness campaign is highlighting literacy champions from across the Atlantic Provinces. The Council of Atlantic Ministers of Education and Training, with representation from Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, today launched the “I did it. You can too!” and “We did it. You can too!” awareness campaign. This campaign celebrates International Literacy Day and recognizes the importance of strong literacy skills to individuals, communities, economies and societies.

The campaign features Newfoundland and Labrador learner champion Nancy Murphy from Corner Brook and Newfoundland and Labrador employer champion Smith Snacks. Through the campaign, Ms. Murphy shares her story of literacy and encourages others to develop literacy skills, and Smith Snacks Vice President Jason Smith stresses the benefits of creating a supportive learning environment for employees. Ms. Murphy is also the 2011 recipient of a Council of Federation Literacy Award created by Canada’s premiers that recognizes the valuable contributions of Canadians in the field of literacy, including family, Aboriginal, health, workplace and community literacy.

“This campaign showcases individuals and organizations that are inspiring others to improve their literacy skills, ultimately contributing to the success and development of our province,” said Minister Burke. " Newfoundland and Labrador will see as many as 70,000 job openings by 2020 and advancing literacy will help to provide a strong foundation for the innovative and skilled workforce we need to help meet these labour demands so we can take advantage of the opportunities ahead.”

To learn more about the “I did it. You can too!” and “We did it. You can too!” awareness campaign, visit www.camet-camef.ca.

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Media contact:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Advanced Education and Skills
709-729-0753, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

2012 09 07                                  5:15 p.m.