A local McGuinty government investment of $3,380,212. will support research and enhance local access to literacy and basic skills training, Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci announced today. Funds will go to eight local organizations to enhance services they currently provide for the community.

“Our government recognizes that our citizens are our most coveted asset,” said Bartolucci. “Literacy and basic skills are an important part of any community and today we are helping ensure that more Sudburians have the necessary skills to contribute to our local economy.”Today’s announcement is part of a much larger $25 million provincial investment in colleges, school boards and community literacy organizations in the Employment Ontario network across the province. It is expected that the funding will help laid-off workers and other adult learners train for more high skilled jobs.

$824,912 of enhancement funds will be distributed to the following organizations as a result of today’s announcement:

In addition, Ontario is investing $3 million across the province in research projects to improve service to adult learners and create a new province-wide curriculum for adult literacy training.

The College Sector Committee will receive $46, 200. towards a special research project on steps to adjust literacy training and other academic support programs provided by community colleges to meet the requirements of new provincial Adult Literacy Curriculum.

“Our community is only as strong as the strength and the skills of its residents,” concluded Bartolucci. “Today’s announcement is further evidence of our government’s vision of building a better province, more equipped to deal with the challenges of today’s economy.”

QUICK FACTS

– 3.4 million Ontario adults have literacy skills at less than a high school level
– By 2020, about 70 per cent of new jobs are expected to require postsecondary education and training