An innovative approach to literacy programming will be introduced in Newfoundland and Labrador this coming fall with the pilot of online delivery of Level I of the provincial Adult Basic Education (ABE) program. The ABE program, which contains three levels, is designed to give adults an opportunity to achieve high school equivalency.

"ABE is an important resource for individuals wishing to improve their literacy skills and can prove to be a critical stepping-stone to post-secondary education," said the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education. "Delivering the program online will make it more accessible to more people. It has the potential to provide individuals with greater flexibility to help accommodate their family lives and possible work schedules, and is another option for those interested in improving their literacy skills to explore."

The pilot will initially be tested with the assistance of the Twillingate-New World Island Development Association and the Carbonear location of Women Interested in Successful Employment (WISE). These non-profit, community-based organizations are located in two areas of the province that currently do not have ABE Level I programming available. Delivery will be expanded to two more sites in September 2010.

"The Government of Canada is proud to work with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to help people prepare for, obtain and maintain employment, and be productive members of the labour force," said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. "We are proud to support this project as it is aligned with the Government of Canada�s vision to foster a strong and competitive country that enables individuals to make choices that help them live rewarding lives."

The pilot will include two to four weeks of in-class training to introduce participants to the eLearning technology and how to use the online curriculum. An ABE instructor will be available online and mentors will also be sought in the students� home community to provide additional assistance.

Increasing provincial literacy levels was a recommendation of both the Provincial Government�s White Paper on Post-secondary Education and the Skills Task Force report.

"This initiative also supports our Poverty Reduction Strategy," said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment for Newfoundland and Labrador. "We need an educated population to grow our economy, and we are determined to increase literacy levels."

The Provincial Government has increased funding to support literacy related initiatives and programming by just over $1.5 million since 2004, with an annual investment of $6.8 million. This funding includes support for adult literacy grants, the Comprehensive Arts and Science College Transition Program, Adult Basic Education scholarships and the delivery of Adult Basic Education at College of the North Atlantic.

This pilot project is funded in part by the Government of Canada�s Pan-Canadian Innovations Initiative (PCII). PCII provides funding for previously untested approaches or initiatives that improve upon current ways of helping persons prepare for, obtain or maintain, employment and be productive members in the labour force.

Further information on this pilot can be obtained by contacting the Division of Adult Learning and Literacy, Department of Education, by calling toll free to 1-888-670-1133.

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