Dear Mr. Editor:
A few weeks ago, Northern Community Development Services (NCDS) announced we would be opening the NCDS Transition Centre at 242 Scott St. in Fort Frances.
We are now open to assist unemployed/laid-off workers, the under-employed, those preparing to write apprenticeship or GED exams, or others hoping to return to post-secondary training.
There is no charge for any of our services.
We are very pleased that the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities has awarded this Workforce Literacy and Essential Skills program—one of 33 in Ontario—to our organization.
I would like to take this opportunity to explain what Workforce Literacy and Essential Skills are.
The nine essential skills were identified by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada in the mid-1990s in response to the results of the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS).
Decades of growing literacy awareness, and countless campaigns and conferences, opened Canada’s eyes to the impact of poor literacy skills on Canadians.
Results from IALS helped to further increase this awareness, and proposed a likely connection between literacy levels and personal and economic potential.
The nine essential skills are reading text, document use, numeracy (math), writing skills, oral communications, working with others (teamwork), problem-solving, computer skills, and continuous lifelong learning.
The surveys gathered information to compare the level and distribution of literacy skills that shed light on the variable that influence the development and sustainability of work, learning, and life skills.
In order to define and measure literacy skills, the IALS examined three literacy domains (prose, document, and quantitative). A scale of zero to 500 points was developed to measure proficiency in these areas.
It was concluded in the IALS survey that in a knowledge-based, global economy, a score of Level 3 (276-325 points) is the minimum level adults need to deal with the complexities of life and work.
At the NCDS Transition Centre, every customer will be given a literacy assessment to determine their level, and a training plan will be developed for each individual so they can meet the level that will allow them to proceed with their employment or educational goals.
Employers, if you have employees who are not performing to the level you would like, you can refer them to the Transition Centre. Our hours are from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. so we can accommodate those that already are working.
We have three instructors, which does ensure one is on the premises at all times.
The Transition Centre can help with preparation for an apprenticeship exam or GED exam, a mature student test for college entrance, or we can upgrade your keyboarding and computer skills and help you make application online for a job.
Our services are delivered in a confidential, respectful, and comfortable setting.
We at the NCDS Transition Centre are pleased to be able to offer this service free of charge to the citizens of Rainy River District so they can reach their full potential and have the essential skills needed to reach their goals.
Sincerely yours,
Cathy Emes
Manager/Co-ordinator,
NCDS Transition Centre
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
