Tender Called for Adult Basic Education Program

Guided by the principle that quality education must be affordable and accessible and recognizing that learning is a primary path to employment, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is changing the delivery model of Adult Basic Education (ABE). This change, which includes moving the program out of College of the North Atlantic, will continue services for adult learners and make the program more responsive to a growing demand for skilled labour.

Today, the Honourable Joan Shea, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, issued a tender call for the delivery of ABE. The purpose of the tender is to secure qualified providers for the program in specific locations throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

“The new delivery model will continue to meet the diverse needs of all Adult Basic Education students and be as inclusive as possible,” said Minister Shea. “All organizations that deliver ABE are required to meet clear standards as defined by the Department of Advanced Education and Skills. I can assure adult learners that these standards will continue to apply to any organization that offers the ABE program.”

The tender call applies only to communities where CNA is the sole provider of ABE with the exception of instances where ABE is delivered at night school and the Waterford Bridge Road Centre. Students attending CNA in a region where ABE is also delivered by a private institution or community group will be assisted in their move to a current service provider.

To view the tender, please visit: www.gpa.gov.nl.ca/availabletenders.stm

As part of this change to a new delivery model, transition plans are being developed for CNA students currently enrolled in Adult Basic Education. Staff of the Department of Advanced Education and Skills have been meeting with students to complete their plans and ensure their transition to a new training provider is as smooth as possible.

In reviewing budget allocations to ABE providers, it was determined that significant cost savings could be achieved by moving the ABE program out of CNA. Currently, it costs approximately $5,000 more to provide ABE to a student at CNA than a private school. There are about two thousand students in the province who attend an ABE program – about 40 per cent attend at CNA and 60 per cent through private institutions and community groups.

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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

2013 05 24                                       12:55 p.m.