Developing a Nunavut Adult Learning Strategy

Government of Nunavut
"Fundamental Change to Adult Learning in
Nunavut: Development of the Nunavut
Adult Learning Strategy and Integration of
PLAR"
Gateways Advisory Meeting
Presentation, September 22, 2005
1
Government of Nunavut
•
•
The current adult education and learning
environment in Nunavut is one which was
inherited from the federal government,
residential schools, and the former Northwest
Territories.
High school education up to grade 12 was only
introduced to the communities beginning in
1986. Adult learners fall into a broad spectrum
from those who were not able to attend high
school or participate in adult learning and
literacy initiatives, to those who require specific
courses to enter post-secondary programs in
southern Canada.
Gateways Advisory Meeting
Presentation, September 22, 2005
2
Government of Nunavut
• There has been no mechanism to allow for PLAR,
even though a multitude of individuals have years
of applicable experience in many fields.
• The Nunavut Adult Learning Strategy is the first
attempt to place a Nunavut stamp on the adult
learning needs of Nunavummiut, and to create a
plan to deal with generations of learners who have
not been able to obtain training, recognition or
employment.
Gateways Advisory Meeting
Presentation, September 22, 2005
3
Government of Nunavut
•
A working group jointly chaired by Nunavut
Tunngavik Incorporated and the GN has
completed a working draft of the strategy.
•
The working group has drawn together an
overarching vision and direction for adult
learning initiatives for the next 20 years.
Gateways Advisory Meeting
Presentation, September 22, 2005
4
Government of Nunavut
Vision:
We envision a territory where learning and
training build a Nunavut-based capacity,
providing Nunavummiut with opportunities to
effectively engage in the cultural, social and
economic development of our territory.
Nunavut will become a place in which our
common goals are achieve through
collaboration, cooperation and investment in
our human resources.
Gateways Advisory Meeting
Presentation, September 22, 2005
5
Government of Nunavut
•
The Strategy is also anchored to nine guiding
principles which are based on Inuit
Qaujimajatuqangit and the Pinasuaqtavut, the
territory’s development framework which
focuses on:
-Healthy Communities
-Simplicity and Unity
-Self-reliance
-Continuing Learning
Gateways Advisory Meeting
Presentation, September 22, 2005
6
Government of Nunavut
• Within this overarching strategy will be a series of
coordinated sub-strategies to reflect the needs of
various sectors of the Nunavut economy.
• In all there are 28 specific strategies and over 120
actions being recommended. When implemented,
this will result in a fundamental shift in adult
learning.
Gateways Advisory Meeting
Presentation, September 22, 2005
7
Government of Nunavut
• The Strategy moves away from a “supply side”
approach to programs to one which is centred on
the needs of the adult learner:
-Literacy, Life Skill and Academic Learners
-Civic Participation Learners
-Inuit Qaujimaningit Learners
-Trades/Employment Specific Learners
-Professional Programs
Gateways Advisory Meeting
Presentation, September 22, 2005
8
Government of Nunavut
•
The Learning Strategy highlights 7 key themes:
- Engaging the Adult Learner
- Success of the Adult Learner
- Accessibility
- Quality Assurance
- Coordination of Learning and Support
Systems
- Program Funding and Funding Requirements
- Accountability
Gateways Advisory Meeting
Presentation, September 22, 2005
9
Government of Nunavut
• A sub-strategy is being the developed for
integrating PLAR within K-12 and adult
programming, career development and which is
tied to national initiatives such as Gateways.
• Currently examining models of community
delivery to link career planning and career
development programs with PLAR, ABE,
Literacy, etc.
Gateways Advisory Meeting
Presentation, September 22, 2005
10
Government of Nunavut
The Learning Strategy has also been linked:
• The National Aboriginal Roundtables and
upcoming First Ministers Meeting.
• To activities of the Council of the Federation.
• To the renegotiation of the implementation of
the NLCA, and Article 23 in particular.
• To Nunavut Economic Development Strategy
Gateways Advisory Meeting
Presentation, September 22, 2005
11
Government of Nunavut
Activities underway as part of process:
• PLAR framework for Nunavut
• Development of a Community Skills
Inventory System with PLAR module
• Development of Culturally Appropriate
models for distance education.
Gateways Advisory Meeting
Presentation, September 22, 2005
12
Government of Nunavut
Nunavut Adult Learning Strategy
Contact: Bruce Rigby
Senior Advisor, Adult Learning
867-975-5619
[email protected]
Gateways Advisory Meeting
Presentation, September 22, 2005
13