Newsletter Sections
Education & Skills Development
Employment Services & Resources
Community Services & Resources
PD & Events
Thank you for “Getting Connected”
71 professionals from education, employment, social services, and community organizations registered for our Getting Connected luncheon events this spring. These events create space to build relationships, share insights, and discover new opportunities to work together—because connected people connect people!
A Sobering Snapshot of Foundational Skills in Canada
Statistics Canada’s latest data on literacy and numeracy paints a concerning picture. While Canada continues to perform relatively well internationally, the findings reveal that millions of Canadians lack the foundational skills needed to confidently navigate work, learning, health information, finances, and everyday systems.
19% of Canadian adults (ages 16–65) have low literacy skills, meaning they may struggle to understand and use written information in daily life.
20% of Canadian adults have low numeracy skills, making it more difficult to work with numbers, budgets, schedules, measurements, and financial information.
Nearly half of Canadian adults do not reach Level 3 literacy, the level often considered necessary to meet the demands of today's workplaces and increasingly complex society.
Among Canadian youth, 18% of 15-year-olds do not meet the benchmark for reading literacy, while 22% fall below the benchmark in mathematics.
The implications extend far beyond the classroom. Foundational skills are closely linked to employment, health, financial wellbeing, civic participation, and social connection.
If these trends continue, we may see widening workplace skill gaps, reduced civic participation, growing social polarization, increased mental health strain, and more people feeling overwhelmed by the demands of daily life. Foundational skills are the infrastructure that supports individual wellbeing, economic resilience, and thriving communities.
The data may be difficult to absorb, but it also reinforces why this work matters.
Wraparound Approaches to Learner Support (by Learning Link) — Ft. on Learning Networks of Ontario Blog
Increasingly, organizations across education, employment, and community services are asking an important question: What does it take to help people not only access programs—but persist, succeed, and achieve their goals?
One promising answer lies in Wraparound: a collaborative approach that brings services, programs and community together to help learners overcome barriers and stay connected to their goals.
Research shows that people are more likely to succeed when they feel connected, supported, and involved in shaping their own goals. In a landmark review of Wraparound implementation in the United States, researchers found that youth and families involved in Wraparound models experienced improvements in school attendance, emotional well-being, community participation, and long-term stability compared to traditional service approaches.
Since then, Wraparound approaches have expanded into education, employment, justice, and community services because they help people navigate barriers while building confidence, stability, and independence.
👉 Read the full blog on learningnetworks.ca
Get SET Program Updates:
Are your clients seeking to build new skills, explore career opportunities, or connect with local supports? PC Works is offering a variety of free workshops and training opportunities this month, including:
CannSell Certification Workshop – Earn the certification required for employment in Ontario's cannabis retail sector.
Introduction to AI
Unlock Transportation – Explore transportation options and resources that can help remove barriers to employment and training.
Internet Safety Workshop
Click here for PC Works’ Summer Offerings
The Power of Possible: Job Readiness Workshop
Power of Possible (POP) is a dynamic and empowering pre-employment program that will equip clients with the tools, relationships, and confidence needed to get the job that is right for them.
Topics covered include:
Interview skills
Self-marketing
Accessing the ''Hidden Job Market'' by generating local job leads
Developing a network
Verbal and non-verbal communication with employers
Conflict resolution techniques
Money management and goal setting
This 30-hour program consists of 10 segments that cover finding the job, getting the job, and keeping the job. POP workshops are offered throughout the summer at various locations.
👉 Contact Fedcap Canada to learn dates and how to register.
Miranda’s Story: Persevering, Literacy and Achieving
Red Seal Success
Miranda found support through a Get SET program to help her complete the certification exam for her skilled trade (hairstyling) and advance in her career.
🌟 Spotlight on Local Libraries
Niagara's public libraries offer much more than books. As welcoming community spaces, libraries help people build skills, access resources, and connect with others through programs and activities for all ages.
From ESL conversation clubs to family events, free computer access to digital literacy workshops, libraries serve as an important "third space"—a place beyond home and work where people can learn, connect, and find support.
Many libraries are also eager to partner with community organizations, educators, and service providers to expand programming and reach more people. If you're looking for opportunities to connect learners & clients with free resources, promote services, or collaborate on community-based initiatives, your local library may be a valuable partner.
Municipality | Library | Summer Programs & Events |
|---|---|---|
St. Catharines | St. Catharines Public Library | |
Niagara Falls | Niagara Falls Public Library | |
Welland | Welland Public Library | |
Niagara-on-the-Lake | Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library | |
Fort Erie | Fort Erie Public Library | |
Grimsby | Grimsby Public Library | |
Lincoln (Beamsville) | Lincoln Pelham Public Library | |
Pelham (Fonthill) | Lincoln Pelham Public Library | |
Port Colborne | Port Colborne Public Library | |
Thorold | Thorold Public Library | |
West Lincoln (Smithville) | West Lincoln Public Library | |
Wainfleet | Wainfleet Public Library |
Learn about tools built to improve your work with learners including:
AI in Get SET, assessment and instructional support, CAEC supports, developing apprenticeship pathways, and more! Register here.
👉Click here to view recordings of past Pop Up PD Sessions.
FedCap’s Referral System — June 12, 9-9:15am
Grab your morning coffee and join us for a virtual tour of FedCap Canada’s referral system to learn how to refer clients to Employment Ontario services in Niagara. This virtual meeting is open to all community partners
👉 Click here to register and receive the MS Teams link.
Education Services Planning Meeting — June 19, 9-10:30am
This meeting is geared toward managers of skills development programs in employment services, Get SET, and other community organizations. Special guests from Skilled Trades Ontario, the Ministry of Labour Immigration and Skills Development, and Workforce Collective will also attend.
Email [email protected] to register.
Save the Date: Virtual Get SET/Learning Network Spotlight with FedCap Canada (for employment services staff)
June 24 at 11am
June 25 at 1pm
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If you’re subscribed to our e-newsletter and we’re not in your inbox, chances are we’re landing in your junk folder. There’s an easy fix to that and it’s called “whitelisting” which means giving a sender ([email protected]) permission to send emails like this direct to your inbox.
Follow this link for instructions: How to Whitelist an Email in Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and More
Click here to access the Niagara Navigator: A Wraparound Resource Directory for Learning and Employment. Please email [email protected] to recommend any updates or changes to information.