Peggy Revell
The Valley Adult Learning Association here is looking for members of the public to help test-run a workshop on improving workplace communications before presenting this pilot project at a provincial conference on literacy.
“Our staff is presenters at the Lauback Literacy Ontario ‘Sharing Pearls of Wisdom’ conference and training event,” noted VALA administrator Barb Duguay.
To those attending the conference taking place in Barrie, Ont., VALA will be presenting the pilot workshop on improving workplace communication skills first run back in January—the first of eight workshops VALA was provided funding for by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
This second free workshop would run Monday, May 25 from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Super 8 Motel, with lunch being provided.
“We’ve made some changes [since the first one] and we’ve really nailed it down, and we just need a run through before we go big time,” explained VALA instructor Kim Redford.
“We’re really excited about this because we’re on the first day, on Friday, June 12, and we’re presenting all morning and all afternoon,” added Duguay, estimating more than 500 organizations from across Ontario will be represented at this conference on literacy.
“People think of literacy as reading and writing, but it’s become more than that,” Redford explained as to why VALA first created the workshop to help people improve their workplace communications.
“It’s anything that would help you to succeed in your own personal life, your job, or in your goal towards education and training,” she stressed.
As a literacy and basic skills agency that is a member of the Employment Ontario team, VALA provides training for anything from computer skills to accounting classes, digital camera classes, and more.
Pre-registering for the May 25 workshop, which is required, can be made by calling VALA at 274-3553.
In other news, VALA also is undertaking its annual membership drive. Year-long memberships cost $20 per person and $50 for an organization.
For members and those interested in becoming one, VALA’s annual general meeting is slated for June 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Kettle’s Restaurant.
Those wishing to attend are asked to register with VALA beforehand.
Duguay stressed how thankful they are to have all the board members and volunteers over the years.
Meanwhile, with Ontario’s new disability act coming into effect, VALA also is on the lookout for possible partnerships with other community organizations.
“We’re looking to move because we have to be wheelchair accessible by 2010, and we’re looking for a partnership to share space with,” Duguay explained.
Finally, VALA also is encouraging people to register for the Academic Career Upgrading (ACE) program.
The program, which is flexible enough to allow people to work while taking it, is recognized as a Grade 12 equivalency and accepted by colleges for admission.
Those interested should register with VALA by June 12 for a September start date.
