Literacy and Foundational Learning
Foundational skills affect how people manage everyday life. Community Adult Learning Programs focus on these skills because the impact is felt in three key areas:
At Home. Reading, writing, math, and communication skills support parenting, caregiving, relationships, independence, health, and housing.
At Work. Foundational skills help people find work, keep work, and grow in their careers whether that means addressing underemployment, navigating unemployment, pursuing a promotion, or adapting to changing systems and technology.
In the Community. These skills help people find supports, connect with others, and take part more fully in community and civic life.
The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) surveyed adults across Canada and around the world. The findings form a strong argument for foundational skills development.
Skills and Health Are Connected. Adults with stronger literacy and numeracy skills are significantly more likely to report high life satisfaction and excellent health.
Education Runs in Families. Literacy scores are closely linked to parents' education levels. The higher a parent's education, the higher their child's literacy tends to be.
Skills Build Trust and Community. In Canada, adults with higher skill levels were significantly more likely to trust others and to volunteer in their communities. Stronger skills support stronger, more connected communities.
Skills and Employment Need to Match. A good match between a worker's skills and their job is essential for a healthy economy. 16% of Canadian adults are under-skilled or underqualified for the work they do.