“Basic literacy is very part-time. It needs to be developed into a full-time program so it doesn’t take so long for people to get through the process.” – Government during Consultation

“It’s important for decision-makers to realize that not all employees can just take time off work, find childcare and get to classes for training.” – Union Representative in the Supplemental Business/Labour Telephone Survey

• According to some, it is not enough to offer literacy programs alone. People are often unable to participate because they lack other supports (eg. daycare, nutrition, safe housing, transportation, etc.) Often, training is paid at a flat daily rate – but with no provision for the costs of daycare or transportation.

• One of the gaps identified is the lack of funding for people who are not immediately employable or who cannot meet the goals or program criteria necessary for funding.

FTE-Based Funding…

“What’s the point of funding trades and technologies if ABE funding isn’t in place to ensure there are skilled workers?” – Educator during Consultation

• For many programs, funding based on Full Time Equivalency (FTE) positions is problematic. For example, a Learning Center may receive funding based on 200-250 students registered by the end of September – but by the end of the school year, they may have had 600 students go through their program.

• School Districts and colleges complained about the restraints on FTE-funding in general but one of their specific complaints was the capping of the number of ABE students they are allowed to accept.

• ABE programs need more hours for students and more instructors. Literacy funding should not be the thing that is cut from the provincial budget. We need to get people at the decisionmaking level to understand that basic skills are what enable students to go on to other levels of training