News Releases News Release - Manitoba

The Manitoba government is investing $221,000 in funding grants for 21 technology and equipment projects at adult learning centres across Manitoba, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration Jon Reyes announced today, marking Family Literacy Day in Manitoba.

“The pandemic continues to impact how Manitobans of all ages learn and this funding will enable technology and equipment updates that are necessary to support the increased need for remote learning,” said Reyes. “These investments will ensure adult learners have access to literacy supports, which have been shown to help entire families read and engage in other literacy-related activities as a family.”

Adult learning centres support a diverse population of adult learners, including Indigenous, newcomer and francophone learners, by providing opportunities to earn the necessary skills and credentials to participate in post-secondary education or the workforce, noted the minister. There are 39 adult learning centres operating 86 service locations in urban, rural and northern communities throughout Manitoba.

“The Aboriginal Community Campus is excited and thankful to receive a technology grant from the Manitoba government,” said Heather McCormick, director of education and training at the Aboriginal Community Campus, Centre for Aboriginal Human Resources Development. “This grant will help us develop our technology capabilities, allowing us to improve our instructional platform for our students. Especially during these trying times of COVID, having access to technology supports really helps us to remain connected and engaged with our students. The technology grant also helps us provide our instructors with new tools to create new learning opportunities for their students.”

The minister noted the need to adapt to remote and blended learning during the pandemic has increased the need for technology and equipment updates over the past two years. The funding announced today will allow adult learning centres to invest in the technology and equipment needed to provide appropriate instruction to adult learners, such as software and computers.

For information on adult learning centres across Manitoba, visit www.edu.gov.mb.ca/all/index.html.

The minister made the announcement on Family Literacy Day, which takes place every year on Jan. 27. Since 1999, thousands of schools, libraries, literacy organizations and other community groups have taken part in the initiative.

“Family literacy focuses on parents, grandparents and other family members to improve the reading and writing skills of the whole family. By reading to children and engaging in fun literacy activities regularly, adults actively keep their own skills sharp, help children improve their skills and engage in life-long learning,” said Reyes. “Manitoba’s Skills, Talent and Knowledge Strategy highlights our commitment and support of our adult education system to ensure Manitobans have the right skills, including reading, writing, numeracy and other essential skills, as well as access to obtaining their high school credentials, which opens doors to further education and better employment opportunities.”

For more information on Family Literacy Day, including local events, visit https://abclifeliteracy.ca/all-programs/family-literacy-day/.

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