September 2012

PGI NEW BRUNSWICK UPDATE 1

LITERACY AND ESSENTIAL SKILLS IN THE WORKPLACE 6

Case Study: Assumption LifeResearch

LCNB NEWS 8

Upcoming WebinarsLCNB Annual General Meeting 2012Dr. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell Literacy AwardsSheree Fitch Adult Learner Scholarship Awards

FAMILY & COMMUNITY LITERACY 12

LCNB Travelling TrunksLCNB Family Literacy Coupon Booklet

September 2012

Peter Gzowski Invitational Golf Tournament for Literacy

A huge THANK YOU to all of the people who made PGI New Brunswick 2012 another noteworthy fundraiser for Literacy and Essential Skills in the province!

For more than eleven years PGI New Brunswick has been the most successful PGI tournament across Canada, and it would not be possible without our dedicated group of Cabinet Members, a team that is comprised of corporate and community leaders in New Brunswick; our sponsors who keep supporting us with their generosity; and all of the volunteers from multiple community groups who spent countless hours helping set up the three PGI Events for 2012. Collectively we have been able to raise more than $1.55 million dollars for literacy programming and Essential Skills in New Brunswick over the past decade!

Feature Story

1For more information on PGI New Brunswick, how to participate or become

involved, visit us online at www.nb.literacy.ca and go to our PGI page!

From left to right: Marian Zaichkowski, Past President of LCNB; Bob Savoie, PGI Treasurer; Lisette Michaud Carrier, PGI Co-Chair; Natasha Bozek, Executive Director of LCNB; Blaine Van Snick of M5 marketing communications, Senior Vice-President, Client Services; Honourable Marilyn Trenholme Counsell, President of LCNB; Chuck Bridges of Atlantic Lottery Corporation, Vice-President of Corporate Affairs.

September 2012

Feature Story

2Go to our Facebook Page to see all the photos from PGI NB 2012!

www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Literacy-Coalition-of-New-Brunswick/35154741794

September 2012

August 15, Edith Cavell School

Family Festival for Literacy - A Day of Discovery!Our annual Family Festival for Literacy – a Day of Discovery incorporated science, technology, engi-neering, and mathematics (STEM Education) into the day’s activities. Children, friends and family had the opportunity to be trans-ported into space with Science East, who brought their portable planetarium; play with a touch pool of

Sea Creatures from the Atlantic Ocean, brought by the Huntsman Marine Sci-ence Centre; and the City of Moncton’s Department of Horticulture taught children about the impor-tance of tree planting and provided everyone with a seedling to take home. The University of Monc-ton, Tech South East and Mount Allison University

demonstrated a variety of science-related activities; the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick, Laubach Literacy New Brunswick and Frontier College pro-vided each child with a free book of their choice; and special guest authors for the day featured Jen-nifer Aikman-Smith and Paul Burns.

Feature Story

3

Go to our Facebook Page to see all of the photos from our Family Festival for Literacy 2012! www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Literacy-Coalition-of-New-Brunswick/35154741794

September 2012

Local young writers in the greater Moncton area were recognized during the opening cere-monies of the Family Festival for Literacy as winners of the 2012 Docbraces Children’s Art and Literacy Contest for their literary or artistic submissions. The contest was an important piece of the day because it reinforced the theme of science, technology, engineering and math-ematics by having the participants creatively write or draw about what they thought was the Best Invention Ever Built. Each winner went home with an e-reader and a bundle of books.

Docbraces Children’s Art & Literacy Contest 2012!

Feature Story

4

Back row: Wild Willy; Mountie; Natasha Bozek (Executive Director of the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick); Lisette Michaud Carrier (PGI Co-Chair); Leo the Lion. Second row: Lindsay McManaman from Docbraces; and contest winners Elizabeth Landry, Lexie Gallant, Eric Car-roll and Stephanie Carroll. Front row: Contest winners Sarah Gallant, Julie Allain, Zachary Al-lain, and Josee Allain.

Josee Allain

September 2012

Eveningside - VIP Guest & Sponsor ReceptionAugust 15, 2012, Moncton City Hall

Feature Story

Each year a ceremony is held for the PGI New Brunswick sponsors, special guests and the re-cipients of the Goguen Champlain Adult Learner Achievement Awards. This year the Evening-side – VIP Guest & Sponsor Reception was held at Moncton City Hall and MC’d by our PGI Cabi-net’s very own Barb Quigley. Our celebrated guests, the recipients of the Goguen Champlain Adult Learner Scholarship Award, are as follows:

Judy LunnJudy Lunn of Perth-Andover Adult Learning Centre, in the Anglophone category for her determination,willingness to help others, positive attitude and goal of continuing her education, which made her the perfect recipient for the Goguen Champlain Adult Learner Achievement Award. A special “Congratulations” goes to Judy for also completing her GED in June of 2012, one year before she was supposed to graduate.

Naomie ErklooNaomie Erkloo, of the Neil Squire Society Adult Learning Program, was the recipient in the Aboriginal cat-egory, due to her high attendance records, quick progress on improving her academic and essential skills, as well as encouraging her classmates while sharing life experiences and culture.

Annick GuignardAnnick Guignard, was the Fracophone recipient of the Goguen Champlain Adult Learner Award. With her tenacity, determination and courage, she decided to take charge of her life and improve her chances of getting more stable and full-time employment by upgrading her education.

Annick Guignard, avec sa ténacité, sa détermination et son courage, a décidé de prendre sa vie en main et améliorer ses chances de décrocher un emploi plus stable et à plein temps on retournant aux études.

Follow this link to read each winner’s biography!www.nb.literacy.ca/pgi

5

September 2012

CASE STUDY:

Assumption Life The 70/20/10 Rule of Learning

Ten years ago, Assumption Life was struggling with low employee satisfaction. Employees were un-motivated by the performance management system. The learning program on offer at the time was not contributing to the develop-ment of the skills that would allow the company and its employees to excel.

The Human Resources (HR) Depart-ment oversaw a modest training budget of between $20-50,000 a year. The HR department was not seeing much of a return on this in-vestment.

Employees ultimately developed skills that they did not necessarily need for their job.

Key Features to Success:

Today in part due to a new ap-proach to work-related learning, Assumption Life is seen as an em-ployer of choice and was recog-nized as one of the 100 Best Places to Work in Canada in 2010 and as the 5th Best Place to Work in Atlantic Canada.

They sought to ensure that the learning program would produce

a return on the investment for both the company and the learner by keeping costs down by learning from each other rather than paying for external training. The new ap-proach to learning would follow a 70/20/10 ratio, where 70 per cent of learning occurs through informal, on-the-job methods that include modeling, practice and exposure; 20 per cent is through more fo-cused learning, supported through coaching and/or mentoring; and the final 10 per cent is through ex-ternal training when required as a last resort.

Making learning relevant - assess-ing the competencies that need to be developed in an individual and figuring out how that will be achieved.

Making learning part of a person’s job and tie it to their performance - assessed, addressed and measured in both qualitative and quantitative ways.

What Works:

Orientation and learning profiles for each position and level in the company were completed.

Learning plans are developed that set out exactly how skills will be de-veloped and often will cover how the skills are to be integrated into the workplace.

“Nice to train everyone, but you have to justify it. It has to be tied directly to core competencies, andthen to the position and then finally to performance.” Assumption Life invests considerable effort in meas-uring the impacts of their learning program.

The most substantial investment into the learning program at As-sumption Life is time.

Demonstrating the value of the learning program and enhancing employee satisfaction.

Key Results:

Employee turnover rate is now less than 5%.

Ensure that employees are devel-oping the skills and knowledge they need in their jobs and for the company to succeed.

Literacy and Essential Skills

in the Workplace

6

For more Workplace Case Studies visit us online at www.nb.literacy.ca and go to our Wrokplace LES tab.

September 2012

ResearchRogers Connect Market Research Group: Online survey of C-suite executives on employees’ skills (research report released May 2, 2012):

http://abclifeliteracy.ca/files/Workplace%20skills%20research%20May%202012.pdf

Majority (55%) of Canadian Parents Agree Their Child Wouldn’t be Able to Attend Post-Sec-ondary Education Without Government Support (research report released April 3, 2012):

http://abclifeliteracy.ca/files/ABC%20PSE%20Factum.pdf

Six in Ten (62%) Canadian Parents say They’d like to Spend More Time Helping Their Child Learn at Home (research report released January 10, 2012):

http://abclifeliteracy.ca/files/ABC%20Learning%20at%20Home%20Factum.pdf

Year Two Research Report New Brunswick Early Childhood Centres ( research report released January 2012):

http://www.mwmccain.ca/media/cms_page_media/51/HERG_Year_2_Report_FINAL_2_.pdf

Literacy and Essential Skills

in the Workplace

Fall Institute 2012- Register Today! October14-16, 2012

Fall Institute 2012: Social Finance and Innovation for Adult Basic Learning: Opportunities and Challenges – Saint John, NB

Visit the LCNB website to register: www.nb.literacy.ca

7

September 2012

LCNB NEWS

The Honourable Dr. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell

As your term as President of the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick Board of Directors draws to a close, we, the members, and staff would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your commitment to strengthen-ing and building our organization.

Over the last 4 years, your strategic thinking, innovative ideas and tireless efforts have helped increase our credibility and have driven our vision of providing leadership to advance literacy, lifelong learning and es-sential skills for all of New Brunswickers forward.

It has been an honour to our organization to be lead by a President who has contributed to our communi-ties, our province, and our country through your contributions as a family physician, provincial politician, Lieutenant-Governor and Senator.

With your guidance the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick has improved greatly, and we would like to wish you all the best in your future endeavors and we look forward to working with you in your ongoing involve-ment with the Coalition and the Board of Directors.

Thank You!

8To learn more about Dr. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell visit the LCNB website: www.nb.literacy.ca

and look under the About tab for a full biography.

September 2012

LCNB NEWS

Literacy and Essential Skills in the Workplace Webinar Series!

The Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick will be celebrating Essential Skills Day with the launch of our webinar series on the topic of Literacy and Essential Skills (LES) in the Workplace. These four free webi-nars will feature New Brunswick professionals who will outline what LES are, why they are important to the workplace, and how to strengthen your organization through improved LES.

Upcoming Webinars

Webinar Date: September 21, 2012 – 2pm (AST)Webinar Title: Literacy and Essential Skills in the New Brunswick WorkplacePresenter: Kimberly George Director of Partnerships and Programs, Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick

Webinar Date: October 17, 2012 – 2pm (AST)Webinar Title: Build an Employee… Build Your BusinessPresenter: Warren C. Maddox Skills Development Coordinator, Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick

Webinar Date: November 8, 2012 – 2pm (AST)Webinar Title: Organizational Training Needs Assessment – How, When and WhyPresenter: Mary Lou Doucette Implementation and Delivery Officer, Workplace Essential Skills

Webinar Date: November 28, 2012 – 2pm (AST)Webinar Title: Building a Learning Culture in Your WorkplacePresenter: Rick Hutchins Literacy and Essential Skills Specialist, National Adult Literacy Database

To register for one of the Literacy and Essential Skills in the Workplace Webinars please

register on the LCNB website: www.nb.literacy.ca/lcnb-webinars

9

September 2012

LCNB NEWS

Dr. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell Literacy Awards

The Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick annually recognizes those who are advancing literacy, lifelong learning and essential skills for all citizens of New Brunswick. Named after Dr. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell, President of the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick, these awards honour New Brunswickers in the following categories:

Early Childhood LiteracyCommunity Literacy ProgramsBusiness/Corporate Literacy InitiativesIndividual Contributions to Literacy

The 2012 awards ceremony will be taking place on November 22, 2012 in Sackville, New Brunswick. If you have any questions about the Dr. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell Literacy Awards please call us at 1-800-563-2211. Please also visit the Awards page on the LCNB website, www.nb.literacy.ca for more information on how to submit nominations for the Dr. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell Literacy Awards.

LCNB Annual General Meeting 2012

Sheree Fitch Adult Learner Scholarship Awards

The Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick will be hosting their Annual General Meeting:

Date: September 28, 2012Location: St. Thomas University Conference Centre, 368 Forest Hill Road, Fredericton, New BrunswickTime: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

The deadline for the Sheree Fitch Adult Learner Scholarship Awards has been extended! If you are an Adult Learner or know an Adult Learner who has been dedicated to a learning program for at least six months, has a great attend-ance record and is showing progress then apply today! Just visit the LCNB website and fill out the application form. The application deadline is October 19, 2012. The award ceremony will take place on November 22, 2012.

Follow this link to fill out the nomination form:www.nb.literacy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Sheree-Fitch-Nomination-Form-20121.pdf

10

September 2012

LCNB NEWS

Save the Dates!

Essential Skill Day! - September 21, 2012

On September 21, 2012, LCNB is launching their Essential Skills in the Workplace Webinar Series.

Please visit: www.nb.literacy.ca/lcnb-webinars for a full list of webinars and to register today!

Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick: Annual General Meeting - September 28, 2012

Date: September 28, 2012Location: St. Thomas University Conference Centre, 368 Forest Hill Road, Fredericton, New Brunswick.Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Fall Institute 2012 - October 14-16, 2012

Social Finance and Innovation for Adult Basic Learning: Opportunities and Challenges - Saint John, New Brun-swick .

Visit the LCNB website to register: www.nb.literacy.ca

LCNB Donations:

Natasha Bozek (Right), Executive Director for the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick presents Susan Baker (Left), Treasurer for the New Brunswick Public Libraries Foundation with a do-nation of $718.08. The funds were raised as part of the Literacy Coalition’s activities to promote Family Literacy Day which is held every year across Canada on January 27.

11

September 2012

Family & CommunityLiteracy

LCNB Travelling Trunks!

LCNB has developed a set of Travelling Trunks! What are they you ask? They are five different col-ourful trunks filled with materials that you and your classroom will find fun while learning. There are five different trunks to choose from:

Art, Writing and Drawing!Literacy in the Outdoors!

Folk and Fairy Tales!Literacy in the Home!Music and Movement!

LCNB Family Literacy Coupon Booklet

The Literacy Coalition would like to offer you a Family Literacy Coupon Booklet! These cou-pons provide you, your children and family a fun opportunity to participate in learning activities everyday. If you would like a Family Literacy Coupon Booklet, please contact us toll-free at 1-800-563-2211!

If you would like more information about the LCNB Travelling Trunks and how you can borrow one for your classroom today, please contact the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick at 1-800-563-2211!

12

September 2012

Library Services for Families! - Fredericton Public Library

Family & CommunityLiteracy

Jama Rumpus Wednesday Night Storytime:

Wednesday, September 19, 2012 till Wednesday, November 7, 2012 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Children of all ages are invited to wear their pajamas to the library for a Wednesday evening storytime.

Storytime Shenanigans (3-5 year olds)

Thursday, September 20, 2012 till Thursday, November 8, 2012 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Preschoolers are invited to join us Thursday mornings at the library for Storytime Shenanigans.

Babies in the Library - Fridays

Friday, September 21, 2012 till Friday, November 9, 2012 2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

You and your baby are invited to sing, dance, rhyme and read at the library.

13

For a full list of activities and events at your local public library, visit the New Brunswick Public Library Service website: www.gnb.ca/0003/index-e.asp

Shirley Downey has been a volunteer and advocate for Early Childhood Literacy since starting the Born to Read program in New Brunswick. The Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick would like to thank her for all that she has contributed to the field of literacy and essential skills while serving as a member of our Board of Directors. We wish you the best of luck as you move forward from the Board. We look forward to your ongoing committment to literacy and working with you in the future!

Thank You!

To subscribe to the Literacy News Bulletin or to make a submission, please contact Nicki Jewett,

Director of Communications and Events for the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick by e-mail or phone:

nicki@nb.literacy.ca(506) 457-1227

TOLL FREE/LEARN Line: 1-800-563-2211

Visit us online:

www.nb.literacy.ca

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Nicki Jewett, Director of Communications and Events: Creation & DesignCase Study: Assumption Life

FUNDED BY:Government of Canada