Recession-proofing Canada through literacy
Economic uncertainty has become a familiar reality for many Canadians. Rising costs, shifting labour markets, rapid technological change and global economic disruptions have made it harder for individuals, businesses and communities to plan for the future with confidence. While no one can predict when the next recession will occur, Canada can prepare for economic challenges […]
Building confidence through life skills
At RECLAIM Literacy in Montreal, learning goes far beyond reading and writing. The organization supports adult learners from a wide range of backgrounds, helping them build literacy, digital and numeracy skills while creating a welcoming community where learners can grow at their own pace. RECLAIM began in 1980 as a community-based literacy organization offering one-on-one […]
Building skills and connections for Quebec’s English-speaking community
Voice of English-speaking Québec (VEQ) has long been a vital support system for the English-speaking community in the greater Quebec City region. Through information and referral services, newcomer events, employment support, and initiatives for older adults, the organization helps English speakers feel connected. Recently, VEQ partnered with ABC Life Literacy Canada to deliver UP Skills […]
Digital literacy in the workplace: Six competencies adults need now
For a long time, digital literacy was treated as a skill needed by office workers, required for email, spreadsheets and presentation software. Trades, manufacturing, transportation and service roles were often seen as hands-on jobs where technology played a smaller role. That is no longer the reality. Today, digital tools are embedded in almost every workplace. […]
4 simple steps to implement an employee training and development program
Employee training and development programs are a great way to improve the knowledge and skillset of your employees. Not only does this kind of training help employees do their job better, it’s also been proven to improve employee retention and engagement rates, as well as efficiency, innovation and productivity levels. Despite the numerous benefits of […]
How to build soft skills for employees
There’s no question about the critical role that hard skills play in the workplace. Easy to measure and define, these skills involve specific knowledge and abilities needed to complete a job. Equally important in the workplace are soft skills – the non-technical skills that help employees interact effectively with others. These can include skills such […]
Why businesses should invest in employee skills training
Literacy provides learners with the opportunity to unlock a world of possibilities. Having adequate literacy skills means being able to understand, evaluate, use and engage with written texts. Literacy extends far beyond reading and writing. In fact, the Government of Canada has identified a set of Skills for Success – the foundation for all other […]
The hidden skills gap: Why foundational training still matters in a digital age
In the race to keep up with rapid technological change, some assume that the future of work depends solely on coding, AI or advanced tech skills. But there’s a hidden challenge holding back workplaces across Canada, and it has nothing to do with the latest software or algorithms. That challenge is low foundational and employability […]
How your local library can help you improve your literacy skills
Libraries have always been places where people go to learn, explore, and grow. Today, they are more important than ever—especially for adults who want to improve their reading, writing, or digital skills. If you’re thinking about upgrading your skills but don’t know where to start, your local library is a great place to begin. Libraries […]
Women gain confidence skills to work in skilled trades industry
Canada has 1.2 million construction workers, but women only currently represent approximately four per cent of the construction trades. The Office to Advance Women Apprentices was established in 2009 with a mandate of increasing employment opportunities for women in the skilled trades. With seven provincial offices across the country, including Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward […]
Don’t feel you have the skills for the job you want? Tips to get ahead
Are you a few key skills away from reaching your dream job? Can you picture yourself working in that restaurant or office down the street, but you’re not sure how to get your resume in shape? Here are a few tips: Take time for yourself Plan to take a few weeks or months to really […]
Helping autistic workers improve their soft skills
Shelly England works as a Navigator at Inclusion Canada Newfoundland and Labrador, an organization that supports adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism. As part of her role, England helps individuals overcome barriers and challenges to employment. After speaking with employment agencies and counsellors about the needs of their clients, she discovered that there was a […]
5 ways to improve employee morale and retention
Each time you onboard a new employee, there’s significant cost and time involved. So when you hire someone great, you want to do everything possible to keep them happy in their role. The following five tips are helpful ways to improve employee morale and retention at your organization. Use effective communication Nobody likes feeling left […]
Employment program works financial literacy into the mix
An Alberta-based community literacy organization has added a new twist to its youth employment program. The Taber Youth Employment Program, run by Taber Adult Learning in Taber, Alberta, has incorporated financial literacy training into its seven-week in-class instruction. Now, in addition to learning skills such as job hunting and interviewing, participants are equipped with the […]
Adapting literacy programs for the blind community
ABC Life Literacy Canada provides a number of free adult literacy programs for community groups across the country. Whether it be financial literacy training through Money Matters, helping learners improve employability skills through UP Skills for Work, or introducing seniors to the Internet through ABC Connect for Learning, our suite of programs have helped many adult […]
Equipping youth with skills for the trades
The Construction Association of PEI (CAPEI) is a non-profit industry association that works with over 260 construction companies across the province, providing advocacy, mentorship and training to workers in the construction industry. For over 30 years, its Youth in Trade program has been helping youth get into the trades. The program, which was recently included […]
Businesses need to invest in employee skills training for the sake of the economy
There’s no doubt about it, Canada’s population is aging. According to Statistics Canada, the senior population is the fastest-growing age group in the country, and there will soon be more Canadians leaving the workforce than entering it over the next few decades. And if that’s not bad enough, there’s an existing skills shortage that will […]
Soft skills: Why they’re important for Canada’s future workforce
Canada’s record low unemployment rate and high number of job vacancies are changing how companies hire. What was important to Canadian employers in the past – such as direct job-related experience and specific qualifications – is becoming less crucial. Nowadays, employers are looking at a candidate’s soft skills to determine suitability for a position. According […]
Learning how to manage stress for work and home life
Rocky Support Services Society (RSSS) in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta is a not-for-profit agency that supports adults with disabilities to live and work in their community. The agency provides 24-hour overnight residential supports, assisted independent living, as well as career planning and employment placement supports. RSSS promotes quality of life and participation in a variety of […]
Literacy and employment: How to show adult learners the connection
When we view an activity as important, we’re more likely to persist with doing it – and learning is no exception. The majority of adult learners upgrade their skills in order to gain better more meaningful employment. But oftentimes learners might become frustrated with their learning experience, ultimately causing them to give up. By focusing […]
UP Skills for Work
UP Skills for Work helps learners develop key employability and life skills through free downloadable workbooks and online courses. The program focusses on key skills such as Motivation, Attitude, Accountability, Time Management, Reading, Numeracy, and Confidence. These skills help workers to be adaptable and motivated throughout their whole employment and as they move into new […]
Skills for Success Day
Skills for Success Day is September 17, 2026. Skills for Success Day is an annual initiative taking place each September to raise awareness about the key skills needed to succeed in learning, work and life. These skills, as identified by the Government of Canada (reading, writing, numeracy, digital, problem solving, communication, collaboration, adaptability, creativity and […]
Activate Learning
Activate Learning is a comprehensive literacy skills program focused on supporting and empowering the population of Newfoundland and Labrador. The program aims to grow the number of learning opportunities for adult learners, employees and workplaces in the region in the areas of employability and life skills, financial literacy, and health literacy. Learn about the program […]
ABC Skills Hub
The ABC Skills Hub is a learning portal that offers free online courses from ABC Life Literacy Canada’s many adult literacy programs. It was created specifically for adult learners and is easy to use and navigate, and helps users to improve their money, work, health, digital, and math skills all online. With the ABC Skills […]
Indigenous learners get support with financial literacy and employability skills
The Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) is a leading Indigenous organization dedicated to working with partners from Indigenous communities, organizations, government and the private sector, to foster Indigenous economic development in New Brunswick. Founded in 1995, JEDI provides its clients with a variety of Indigenous entrepreneurship and workforce development services. Tricia Chase is the Indigenous […]
Literacy group uses ABC Skills Hub to support independent learning
Literacy Council York-Simcoe (LCYS) was formed in 1984 by a group of passionate volunteers who were dedicated to helping those experiencing difficulty in reading, writing and working with numbers. Since then, they have been delivering a variety of skills upgrading programs, such as digital skills workshops, soft skills training and employability skills workshops to more […]
Learners with developmental disabilities get job readiness training
Corbrook Awakening Abilities is a non-profit, charitable organization that provides support to adults and youth with developmental disabilities in Toronto and York Region. Mellissa Prince is the organization’s Job Coach in East Scarborough, and her role is to provide those who want access to employment with pre-employment training and one-to-one support. Prince runs weekly workshops on […]
New workplace literacy resources for people with diverse abilities
ABC Life Literacy Canada is thrilled to add several new resources to UP Skills for Work, a free education program that helps adult learners develop key employability and life skills through free workshops, downloadable workbooks and online courses. These new resources are specifically designed for people with diverse abilities and have been adapted to best […]
How to build a culture of learning in the workplace
According to a study by IBM, employees are 12 times more likely to quit if a company isn’t committed to their career goals. Even more alarming is that this number jumps to about 30 times for new hires. The message is clear: Employees want their workplace to value continual learning, offer skills training, and help […]
How skills training affects job retention
The current labour shortage – which started due to our aging population – only worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only are workers now getting to choose from the abundance of available jobs, but many are no longer accepting low pay and poor working conditions. And it’s far from over. By 2030, experts predict that […]
Improving employability skills in class and online
The Adult Learning Association of Cape Breton County (ALACBC) is a non-profit charitable organization that has been providing tuition-free literacy programs and GED prep for adults across Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, since 1989. Corrina Petersen is the Literacy Instructor for Sydney Mines, a small town located just outside of North Sydney. Petersen is one of […]
Printing company sees success with workplace training program
Canada’s largest printer of hardcover books is one of the latest companies jumping at the opportunity to upgrade their employees’ skills. Friesens Corporation, based in Altona, Manitoba, was one of 15 workplaces across the country to take part in a workplace delivery pilot of UP Skills for Work, a free program from ABC Life Literacy Canada […]
Easter Seals discovers “out-of-the-box” literacy programming solutions
Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador is a non-profit organization that aims to engage, inspire and maximize opportunities for people living with disabilities of all ages by providing meaningful programs and services. The organization runs several literacy-based programs, including Horizons Work Experience Program, which teaches job skills to individuals experiencing barriers to employment, and Secure Futures, […]
Employability and life skills programming aims to reduce criminal re-offending rates
Newfoundland Corrections’ Adult Custody Section has five correctional facilities and two detention centres across the province, which provide services and programs for sentenced, remanded and detained offenders. Heather Yetman, Manager of Institutional Programs, is responsible for leading a team who bring programs into the correctional facility that are relevant and meaningful to the offenders. The […]