The Adult Basic Skills Training System
The following information gives insight into how literacy and essential skills programming is currently funded and delivered in Ontario and throughout Canada. While traditional educational institutions fall under the jurisdiction of provincial and territorial governments, adult literacy and essential skills is managed by both provincial and federal government departments.

For more detailed information, see Essential Skills Ontario’s document Literacy and Essential Skills in Ontario 2013/14, a report that incorporates the most recent information available on literacy and essential skills programming trend data in Ontario.

Federal Support
The Office of Literacy and Essential Skills (OLES), under the department of Employment and Social Development Canada, is the federal supporter of provincial and territorial literacy coalitions and funds various projects across Canada. OLES is focused on improving the literacy and essential skills of adult Canadians by providing expertise, project funding and a wide range of learning tools and other resources.

Provincial Support
The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) manages the Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) Program for adults who need assistance in developing literacy skills or who seek admission to Academic Upgrading (AU). Employment Ontario delivers the LBS Program and funds literacy agencies to provide LBS training.

For more information please read Essential Skills Ontario’s publication Literacy in Ontario 2013/14.

Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS)
The Ontario government’s Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) Program provides literacy, numeracy and essential skills services. LBS services help people achieve their education, training and employment goals, as well as enjoy increased independence. These services are offered through local school boards, community-based agencies, and colleges.

To support the development of adult literacy programming, Employment Ontario recently launched the Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework or OALCF. The OALCF is the new cornerstone of Employment Ontario’s LBS Program, which helped over 67,000 adult learners work toward achieving their goals in 2010-2011.

Literacy and Essential Skills Organizations
National Organizations
List of national literacy and essential skills organizations.

Provincial and Territorial Coalitions
List of the provincial and territorial organizations in Canada.

e-CHANNEL
The e-Channel is an online classroom and meeting space for students, teachers, coaches, trainers and leaders of adult literacy and basic skills programs.

Cultural Streams
In order to respond to distinct learner needs, Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) funding distinguishes among four cultural streams.

Regional Literacy Networks
The 16 regional networks are the doorway to literacy services, advice and information.

Sector Literacy Networks
These four sectoral networks represent the methodologies of each of the four delivery sectors: colleges, school boards, community agencies and the Laubach system.

Saskatchewan Action Research Network
The Saskatchewan Action Research Network is a network of practice-based researchers who provide action research training and mentoring, and also provide a repository and clearing house for practice-based research and resources.

Literacy and Essential Skills in Ontario
Literacy and Essential Skills in Ontario 2013/14
Literacy and Essential Skills in Ontario 2013/14, produced by Essential Skills Ontario, is a report that incorporates the most recent information available on literacy and essential skills programming trend data in Ontario. The information collected in Literacy and Essential Skills in Ontario allows us to better address all the essential skills adult Ontarians need to thrive in today’s rapidly-changing world.