The Government of Ontario is investing $1.5 million in literacy projects that will help up to 480 people in Ottawa build literacy and basic skills through a series of unique partnerships among employers, community organizations and schools.
In Ottawa, four organizations are leading projects to improve literacy skills and increase employment opportunities for unemployed or underemployed residents. Projects include:
- A partnership lead by the Ottawa Catholic School Board to train and provide job opportunities to 40 unemployed adults seeking employment in custodial services;
- A partnership by the Centre des services communautaires Vanier will provide literacy training for 110 staff in the food and hospitality industry who lack basic skills and face barriers to advancement;
- La cite collégiale will help 250 unemployed adult francophones learn new skills for the job market; and
- The John Howard Society will work with employers to ensure potential employees have the necessary skills to gain meaningful and sustainable employment.
As part of its ongoing plan to improve the literacy skills of Ontarians, the government is also providing additional funding this year to help community agencies assist more learners, and expanding the Academic Career Entrance (ACE) program to double the number of learners able to take academic upgrading courses online.
QUOTES
“Thanks to strong community leadership, this initiative will help strengthen our local workforce and create opportunities for everyone to achieve their best.”
– Yasir Naqvi, MPP Ottawa Centre
"Our support is helping people strengthen their skills in the workplace and in their communities so they'll be able to grow in their job or train for more skilled work."
– John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
QUICK FACTS
- Ontario is investing an additional $90 million over two years to expand literacy and basic skills training. This funding will help up to 13,000 more Ontarians each year.