NLIS 7
February 17, 2005
(Education)
Atlantic Ministers of
Education and Training meet with the Atlantic federal caucuses
Atlantic Ministers of Education and
Training met yesterday and today in Ottawa with the three Atlantic
federal caucuses to exchange ideas to meet the education and
training needs of Atlantic Canadians.
The ministers laid out a proposed framework that would see the two
orders of government partnering to improve university and community
college infrastructure and build a stronger research capacity within
the Atlantic region. Ministers stated that Atlantic post-secondary
education institutions play a critical role in the region�s economy
and a well-developed research capacity will lead to major research
and development projects.
Ministers raised the issue of adult literacy and would like to see a
federal-Atlantic long-term literacy strategy to better support
quality, innovative and results-based training to address the lower
levels of adult literacy in the region.
The ministers also addressed the issue of skills development. Skills
development presents a key challenge to adults who possess talent
and a strong work ethic, but lack formal education and skills
credentials. Ministers of Education and Training suggested the need
for a joint investment initiative to improve access to lifelong
learning, address learning needs of the workforce, expand prior
learning assessment and recognition, and provide training in
essential workplace skills.
Ministers of Education and Training are unanimous in their belief
that resolution of the issues discussed with the Atlantic federal
caucuses is imperative if Atlantic Canada is to attain full
prosperity and be more competitive nationally and internationally.
Ministers were pleased with the reception they received from their
federal colleagues and considered this initial dialogue an excellent
opportunity to develop a cooperative approach and align provincial
and federal priorities which could lead to joint investments in
education and training.
The Atlantic Ministers of Education and Training plan to meet in the
near future with federal Cabinet ministers with responsibilities in
areas raised during the meetings yesterday and today.
Ministers of Education and Training in attendance were Madeleine
Dub�, NB Minister of Education, Margaret-Ann Blaney, NB Minister of
Training and Employment Development, Tom Hedderson, NL Minister of
Education, Jamie Muir, NS Minister of Education, and Mildred Dover,
PEI Minister of Education.
For more information, please contact:
Jason Humphrey
NB Department of Education
(506) 444-4919
Shawn Hearn
NB Department of Training & Employment Development
(506) 453-2568
Lynn Salter
NL Department of Education
(709) 729-0048
Sue McKeage
NS Department of Education
(902) 424-8286
Julie Whitlock
PEI Department of Education
(902) 368-6449
2005 02 17
4:25 p.m.
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