PRINCE ALBERT LITERACY PROGRAM WINS NATIONAL AWARD

The Prince Albert Literacy Network's Child Care Worker Preparation for Certification Program has won the 2012 Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award.

The Child Care Worker Preparation for Certification Program (CCWPCP) prepares First Nations, Métis and unemployed learners with lower levels of literacy to pursue child care careers. Eight of the participants have already found jobs at local child care centres.

"This award recognizes PALN's work and dedication, and I congratulate them on winning this award," Economy Minister Bill Boyd said. "Our government is focused on innovation in our Adult Basic Education programs along with PALN, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies which was the post-secondary partner on this project, and others to help meet the needs of our adult learners as well as the needs of our province's labour market."

"For more than 20 years, the network has worked to maintain connectedness primarily through government-granted literacy projects," PALN co-chair Lillis Lawrence said. "As a volunteer group, we are held together with the vision that adult literacy and family literacy are essential to the well-being of all Canadians. PALN is gratified to have national recognition that adult literacy enhancement is a profitable investment."

This was the first year the award has been given out. It recognizes community organizations that have developed, implemented and delivered innovative literacy programs that have had a significant impact on their communities.

"Our sincere gratitude goes out to the adult learners, project staff, partners and the ministry for making this project such a success," CCWPCP project co-ordinator Delphine Melchert said.

This project was funded through the Ministry of Economy's Adult Basic Education program. More than $21 million is being invested in Adult Basic Education and literacy programs this year in Saskatchewan, supporting approximately 7,600 adult learners.

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For more information, contact:

Jamie Shanks
Economy
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4765
Email: jamie.shanks@enterprisesask.ca