BC News Release: Helping Adult Learners Get Ahead

November 25th, 2012

VICTORIA – Adult learners around the province will get help to improve their reading, writing and numeracy skills and advance their education and career goals thanks to government funding for the Community Adult Literacy Program (CALP).

The B.C. government is providing $2.4 million to support 68 community-based, adult-literacy projects in 2012-13, benefitting close to 6,400 British Columbians.

The projects are delivered through partnerships between community groups and B.C.’s public, post-secondary institutions.

Projects funded under CALP receive up to $40,000 each to provide instruction and support to adult learners in everything from basic literacy to high-school completion. Most offer one-on-one tutoring by trained volunteers, small-group classes and other types of learning tailored to adults, Aboriginal learners, young parents and others in the community in need of support.

Community adult literacy funding supports programs all around the province, which are delivered by community groups working with B.C.’s public, post-secondary institutions. Projects for 2012-13 operated in conjunction with North Island College, include:

Bella Coola: North Island College/Bella Coola Learning Society
Campbell River: North Island College/Campbell River Community Literacy Association
Courtenay and area (Black Creek, Glacier View): North Island College/Community Adult Literacy and Learning Society: Adult Learning Centre
Port Alberni: North Island College/Literacy Alberni Society

Media Contacts:
Dan Gilmore
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology
250 952-6400

Susan Auchterlonie
College & Community Relations
North Island College
tel: 250-334-5271
cel: 250-898-4146
susan.auchterlonie@nic.bc.ca