Government of Yukon
Archives
FOR RELEASE #06-031
February 15, 2006
Yukon Government Supports Workplace Literacy Program
WHITEHORSE - The Government of Yukon today announced nearly $130,000 in funding for a workplace literacy project that is being made available to staff of Yukon First Nation governments.
Yukon Learn has received $100,000 in Community Training Funds from the Department of Education and $28,500 in Community Development Funds from the Department of Economic Development in order to deliver the workplace literacy program.
"We are pleased to support Yukon Learn's workplace literacy project for employees of First Nation governments," Education Minister John Edzerza said. "Yukon Learn has made a considerable impact on Yukoners' lives through its many literacy programs throughout our communities, so Yukon Learn was the natural choice to deliver such an important program throughout Yukon."
"This workplace literacy project is an excellent, flexible program - it meets the diverse literacy needs of First Nation people working at our government office," Teslin Tlingit Council Chief Eric Morris said. "This is a valuable program and I thank the Government of Yukon and Yukon Learn for contributing resources and expertise to make it happen. I would also like to commend those at the Teslin Tlingit Council workplace who are taking advantage of this literacy program."
The workplace literacy project will focus on the development of both basic and high-level literacy skills that some First Nation government staff may need in order to reach their personal and professional goals. Current and past employees of First Nation governments will be eligible to participate in the program.
"The Government of Yukon recognizes how vital it is to promote literacy amongst the First Nation workforce to the greatest extent possible," Economic Development Minister Jim Kenyon said. "This will bolster the vitality, competence and overall competitiveness of the Yukon First Nation labour pool."
"All of the literacy work we do is both practical and essential because learning to read is integral to enabling people," Yukon Learn executive director Debbie Parent said. "Workplace literacy project activities will be linked and integrated to the participants' roles and responsibilities in their workplace and in their community."
The workplace literacy project is being implemented over a period of 18 months. The project will include a general education component that deals with basic workplace literacy skills such as communications, mathematics, computers and problem solving. It also includes a social and professional development component dealing with issues such as life skills, self-government and First Nation languages.
"The program is flexible enough to accommodate entrants at all levels – from those who must learn or relearn how to read, write, do basic calculations, to those who need help from experts in their specialized field of work," Parent said.
"The workplace literacy program for staff of First Nation governments is about creating capacity and developing meaningful training partnerships with First Nation governments," Edzerza said.
White River First Nation, Carcross/Tagish First Nation, Ta'an Kwach’an Council, Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Tr'ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation, Vuntut Gwitch'in First Nation and Ross River Dena Council are also taking part in the workplace literacy program.
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| Contact: | |
| Peter Carr | Clea Ainsworth |
| Cabinet Communications | Communications, Education |
| (867) 667-8688 | (867) 393-7102 |
| peter.carr@gov.yk.ca | clea.ainsworth@gov.yk.ca |
Debbie Parent
Executive Director, Yukon Learn
(867) 668-6280