Territorial Colleges welcome Adult Basic Education funding extension in federal budget

WHITEHORSE – The presidents of the three Canadian territorial colleges welcome the $3.9 million funding extension for Northern Adult Basic Education (NABE) that was announced in the federal budget on March 22.

Since 2011/12, the Government of Canada has invested $27 million over five years to expand adult basic education in the territories. Adult Basic Education includes activities that assist adults in achieving sufficient levels of literacy, numeracy and other essential skills to obtain a job or enter vocational training.

"NABE has changed adult basic education programs at Nunavut Arctic College. With this funding, our College has been able to develop innovative and Northern-specific adult basic education programs, resources, and instructor training opportunities.  We are very pleased that the federal government is responding to our need for investments in adult education in the North. This funding extension will build capacity in our ABE programs, support the indigenization of our curriculum, and enhance adult learning. The result is increased skills development and self-reliance as Northern graduates enter the labour market or pursue further training," said Joe Kunuk, President, Nunavut Arctic College.

"Aurora College is happy with the additional funding, which will allow us to continue to deliver specialized, community-based programs that have been developed to meet the needs of Northern Adult Learners. The seven new Literacy and Essential Skills (LES) courses, which were developed in conjunction with the NWT Literacy Council, have been especially well received, with more than 430 learners in 25 communities completing the courses in the past 18 months. This is in addition to extending access to Adult Basic Education to several smaller NWT communities,” said Jane Arychuk, President, Aurora College.

Aurora College's LES courses include Introduction to Office Skills, Starting Your Own Small Business, Small Business Funding and Marketing, Introduction to Early Child Care and Learning, Construction Labourer Basics, Ready to Work NWT, and Introduction to Retail and Customer Service.

“Over five years, NABE programs in Yukon have invested $1.2 million directly into Yukon rural communities and connected 601 students to life and employment skills education and training,” said Dr. Karen Barnes, President, Yukon College. “We are happy that the new federal government has recognised the importance of this vital program.”

Multiple NABE programs have taken place in almost every Yukon community since 2012. Yukon College community campuses work with local First Nations and municipalities to identify skills needed by the community and then create a program to address those needs. Program subjects include Trades Exploration, Child Care Skills for Employment, Introduction to Heavy Equipment Technician, Event Planning, Personal Support Care Worker, Interpretive Tourism, Esthetics, as well as others.

The three territorial colleges have collaborated closely together since 2011 by sharing knowledge, resources and course materials. The initiative also brought together for the first time Adult Educators and stakeholders from across the North in Whitehorse for a NABE Symposium in April 2014. Participants shared successes, challenges and their passion for improving literacy and skills of adult learners. A major takeaway from the Symposium was the need to build on the successes achieved and maintain NABE programming in the territories.

Presidents Barnes, Arychuk and Kunuk say they will encourage the federal government to continue NABE program funding beyond this one-year extension.

“For many adult learners NABE programs are what they need to move confidently into a career or further education,” said Barnes.

The three presidents also welcomed increased federal spending on Indigenous education, northern research through Indigenous and Northern Affairs and grants and loans for students.