The Ministry of Education, supported by its partners, the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, is developing Adult Learning Centre Demonstration Projects. The purpose of these projects is to produce coordinated, accessible and effective adult education and training programs and services. The core of the Adult Learning Centre Demonstration Projects is improved integration of services.
School boards, colleges and community agencies (funded by the aforementioned ministries) that currently deliver adult secondary school credit programs, adult non-credit ESL/FSL language training program, and adult non-credit literacy and basic skills training are eligible to lead an Adult Learning Centre Demonstration Project.
As a partnership development organization promoting adult literacy across Ontario, the Ontario Literacy Coalition (OLC) would like to applaud this multi-partner, multi-year initiative. (The ‘Template’ and full ‘Call for Expressions of Interest’ are available on the OLC website. )
Multi-year initiatives allow organizations in the field to better plan and execute initiatives as well as develop relationships of substance with community partners, which can only serve to benefit adult learners across the province.
After gathering feedback from past calls for proposals, the ministries are also providing funding for the proposal process. This step recognizes the resources that go into developing proposals and meeting all criteria.
There are many positive changes in this proposal process (implementing feedback, funding for proposals) and there are areas for further development. The Ontario Literacy Coalition is providing this forum to hear your thoughts on the current Call for Expressions of Interest as well as on the overall idea surrounding Adult Learning Centre Demonstration Projects.
As always, we will provide the Ontario Government and its ministries with feedback based on your comments.
June 16, 2009 at 9:15 pm
The following is a list of successful Expressions of Interest within phase 1 of the Adult Learning Centre Demonstration Project. These partnerships will move forward to the proposal development phase of the initiative.
Congratulations to all partners involved in these projects and good luck in the upcoming phase.
Adult Learning and Referral Centre of Ottawa
Belleville-Trenton Area Model of Inclusive Training and Education in Rural Communities
Centre d’éducation et de formation des adultes du Centre-Sud-Ouest
Centre d’éducation et de formation des adultes de l’Est de l’Ontario
Durham Adult Learning Centre Demonstration Project
Forma-éduc Nord
Halton Integrated Service Pathways
Lambton Kent Connections to Adult Education
London Adult Learner/Worker Pathway Counselling and Electronic Adult Learner/Worker Portfolio
Northwest Education and Training Access Centre- Working Together to Build a Better Tomorrow
Peel Adult Learning Centres Demonstration Project
Simcoe Guided Pathways … To Success
Toronto Navigating the Future
Windsor Essex Adult Demonstration Project
York Four C’s – Connect, Cultivate, Create, and Celebrate
June 17, 2009 at 7:15 pm
I would be interested in knowing more about the organizations that got the go ahead for proposals.
June 18, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Hi Sue,
The lead organization for the project entitled ” Northwest Education and Training Access Centre” is the Lakehead Adult Education Centre, Lakehead District School Board, in Thunder Bay.
This is a regional project. The following is a list of some of the organizational partners : Confederation College, Literacy Northwest, Keewatin-Patricia District School Board, Kenora Catholic District School Board, Northwest Training and Adjustment Board, North Superior Training Board, Ontario Native Women’s Association, YES Employment Services, Aboriginal Employment Resource Committee, Indian Youth Friendship Society.
I hope this is helpful.
Annemarie
June 23, 2009 at 6:56 pm
With the focus of this initiative being on overall ‘adult learning,’ literacy (as defined by Literacy and Basic Skills programming) becomes but one aspect of the Adult Learning Centre Demonstration Project.
Thus, Expressions of Interest have been successful even if they do not necessarily contain an ‘LBS’ partner.
Tell us about a project in your area. What is the scope? Who are the partners? Despite the fact that all Expressions of Interest are required to have a school board or college signatory and that LBS partners may be invited to join during the Proposal Development phase, LBS representation is not mandatory.
Is adult learning expanding beyond LBS? Should LBS partners always be included in adult learning initiatives? What expertise and experience can LBS partners contribute to adult learning that others cannot?