National Adult Literacy Database

This document summarizes the key findings of research conducted between June and September 2010 as part of a project aimed at improving the employability of unemployed or underemployed Canadians by providing tools to identify their Literacy and Essential Skills (LES).

CONNECT Strategic Alliances, representing Ontario’s 24 publicly funded colleges, has undertaken the project in partnership with Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) and Douglas College in British Columbia.

Through telephone interviews and online surveys, the researchers looked at the LES resources currently used by career practitioners and other professionals working with unemployed and low-skilled workers, and asked what resources are needed to help practitioners incorporate an LES approach into their work.

The authors note that while this environmental scan provided valuable data, low response rates in certain areas make it difficult to draw clear conclusions and point to the need for further study.