Ontario is expanding its literacy and basic skills programs and the Wellington County Learning Centre in Arthur will be getting an additional $43,320 to expand its work.
Though the announcement was made in Arthur, it is one that will help residents across Wellington County.
Perth Wellington MPP John Wilkinson made the announcement on July 10 on behalf of Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities John Milloy.
“I am pleased that the Wellington County Learning Centre is receiving this increase in funding,” said Wilkinson. “People remain our number one asset in Wellington. Investing in literacy skills means providing more opportunities for people to be the best, strengthening our local economy and helping our neighbourhoods grow.”
Executive Director Elizabeth Debergh said, “On behalf of the board of directors and staff of the Wellington County Learning Centre, I am very grateful for this additional resource.”
The centre has operated for over two decades in Arthur, assisting residents in the neighbouring areas.
“These funds will be used to expand our general education development [GED] program (pre-high school equivalence),” Debergh said.
In 2008-09 the centre assisted 153 adults and provided 10,000 training hours. The new funding will allow it to assist many more who want upgraded skills.
The government is spending an additional $25-million in colleges, school boards and community literacy organizations in the Employment Ontario network across the province to help laid-off workers and other adult learners train for highly skilled jobs.
In addition, Ontario is spending $5million to expand online literacy training. The e-channel project helps English-speaking, French-speaking and Aboriginal learners in remote communities.
“We’re taking action now to help people strengthen their skills while laid off and looking for work so they’ll be better able to find jobs in this new economy,” Milloy said.
Currently, there are 3.4 million adults who have literacy skills at less than a high school level. By 2020, it is expected approximately 70 per cent of new jobs will require postsecondary education and training.
Debergh said the centre has a number of people coming for their GEDs, “so that’s where we’re going to put a fair bit of the money.”
Wilkinson said that these days, more education is needed to even get into a factory.
“And we’re meeting individuals like that, who’ve worked 10, 20 years and never got their high school diploma. Now they’re trying to get another job and it’s being requested of them. The GED is a great way … ”
He agreed it is rare to see a 35 year old go back to high school.
“But every once in a while at a graduation … there are one or two people that have gone back to high school. And the kids always cheer. It takes a lot of courage to go back. But most people are able to get a GED.”
Debergh’s background is in education. She attended the University of Guelph, where she took her masters in education – in the rural extensions studies program.
Wilkinson quipped “a lot of people have gone to the U of G around here.”
The centre also has links with Conestoga College’s academic upgrading program. People come to the learning centre, which coordinates the program here.
Debergh said a Conestoga College teacher comes to the centre and if an individual does not high school, it may be possible to go straight to academic upgrading program (AUP).
“We try to mesh them with their GED into the AUP program. It’s a great way if someone comes here and doesn’t have their high school and wants to go into an apprenticeship program. It allows them to get their GED and start upgrading here – and be prepared to go to college after that.”
The centre’s catchment area includes rural Wellington County, excluding Guelph.
Wilkinson seemed impressed the coverage area goes as far south as Puslinch.
However, Debergh said that generally those residents are referred to the Guelph group, simply because it is closer.
“The main area we serve is Wellington North and Centre Wellington.”
Wilkinson said Arthur seems a good location.
Debergh said some people do come from Erin, “but often they go to Acton … depending on where they live.”
Wilkinson noted that last year, the centre helped roughly 155 people, but now there is a waiting list, so the grant will help. He said there are a bunch of new programs available.
“People are now realizing, increasingly, that the job they want, requires a certain level of skills they may not have.”
He said there are a 100,000 jobs in Ontario that are lacking people to fill the positions.
Wilkinson used the example of certain trades, where education is a barrier, where before it was not.
“Now, you can’t get into the trades unless you can prove you have a high school diploma.”
Debergh said, “We have an excellent partnership with Second Chance employment and counselling in Fergus.”
As a result, they are very aware of second career development and skills strategy. She noted Second Chance also comes under the umbrella of Employment Ontario.
“We try to work with them so that when someone chooses an employment goal, we work with them to work on what skills they need to get that job.”
“With the additional funding, we’ll be able to provide a lot more funding in our GED program.”
