FROM VISION TO IMPACT

annual report 2011/2012

Message from theBoard Chair

“From Vision to Impact”, the title of this year's

annual report, quite literally describes CLLN's path

over the last year. The vision - the result of

comprehensive assessment of the organization, in

order to respond to an altered, much more

complex literacy landscape - has taken a few years

to make its way to impact. This year we are

demonstrating decisively, as a board and staff,

under the leadership of our new President and

CEO, Lindsay Kennedy, that we have evolved this

organization, and we have done so in order to

continue to be relevant and passionate proponents

of lifelong learning for all Canadians.

Changes we are implementing are aimed at the

ways in which we work and communicate with

each other, our communities, partners, funders,

policy-makers, opinion leaders and other

stakeholders. Most importantly, changes to the

organization aren’t changes in direction. On the

contrary, our values and mission are still grounded

in the knowledge that literacy is a social justice

issue, that literacy is a human right, that being

literate means that you have a voice and can be

heard. Articulating and evidencing that literacy is

also an economic issue, is a new addition to this

catalogue that allows us to communicate the

pressing issues of basic skills development to an

even broader set of stakeholders.

CLLN can be proud that it is now better positioned

in the literacy landscape than it has been in some

time. Stabilized as an organization – from

governance to a highly motivated and extremely

experienced staff team, and consistently expanding

our network, we have undoubtedly stepped back

up to take the lead as Canada's national Literacy

and Essential Skills experts and agents of change.

I am pleased to present this annual report –

a record of a truly remarkable year.

Janet Lane, CLLN Board Chair

Message from thePresident

After many years with CLLN, this year finds me in a

new role – that of President and CEO. Having been

part of the fundamental and definitional work of

developing a new strategic plan with CLLN's board

and its members in the past, I now have the privilege

to take this organization to the next level – that of

implementing the blueprint.

Setting out with three clear goals early in the year:

expansion of the network; bringing new voices to the

table; and re-shaping CLLN's board to maximize

skills of board members and align them with CLLN's

strategic vision, I am happy to report that we are well

on our to achieving them.

Rebranding CLLN, while at times challenging, has

made us more focused, more coherent, more

integrated, more connected and definitely more

aligned with our long-term direction and with our

ultimate goals. Far from starting from scratch, we

continue to do what we do best: developing

relationships and partnerships, communicating and

convening in order to be at the cutting edge. This is

our role as an effective national leader of the L/ES

community. We are building a durable, yet versatile

architecture that will allow us to achieve our strategic

directions – to interact, inform, influence and build

knowledge and expertise – as we strengthen learning

as a fundamental component of Canadian culture.

Our many highlights and achievements are recorded

on the following pages, but let me point out two key

projects that have been pivotal work in the past year

and that are evidence of CLLN making impact:

Early in 2012 we received funding from OLES to

conduct the first ever labour market study of the

literacy and essential skills workforce, and with that,

an acknowledgement from government and policy

makers that this workforce is important in times of

skills gaps and labour shortages. We will be filling a

distinct gap in information about who delivers L/ES

training to Canadians. The survey of 3000 trainers,

teachers and practitioners across the country, both

anglophone and francophone, will allow us and our

partners to be better at facilitating the network of the

L/ES practitioner community, expanding knowledge

and expertise in and of the field, as well as moving

towards the standardization and professionalization

of L/ES delivery in Canada.

CLLN's Literacy and Earnings project, in particular

the latest report in the series, “Investing in

Upskilling”, is making some waves around

government – federal, as well as provincial/territorial

– and business circles. Its remarkable findings,

namely that, if we shift dollars from income support

to quality adult education, governments and

communities would not only save money, but actually

increase revenue, are leading to further dialogue, and

bringing the cause of the adult learner to the

forefront. We have been able to successfully

communicate our issues in much wider circles,

moving the dire need for basic skills development to

the top of many agendas.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank

everyone who has supported CLLN through the last

few years, and continued to believe in our mandate

and principles and seen the value of this organization.

At CLLN we are committed to continuing the journey

we have set for ourselves – that of making Canada a

place of lifelong learning to benefit individuals,

communities and the nation.

Lindsay Kennedy, CLLN President and CEO

CLLNBoard & Staff

ExECuTIVEChair: Janet Lane

PTC* Committee (Literacy Alberta)

Vice-Chair: Kim Crockatt

PTC Committee (Ilitaqsiniq - Nunavut Literacy Council)

Treasurer: Ningwakwe George, Member at Large

Secretary: Fiona Murray, Member at Large

BOARd MEMBERSPatricia Ashie, CALL** Vice Chair (Essential Skills Ontario)

Wendy Bulloch, PTC Committee (Literacy Partners of Manitoba)

Ellen Szita, CALL Chair (Decoda Literacy Solutions)

Caroline Vaughan, PTC Committee (Literacy Newfoundland and Labrador)

Chris Whitaker, Member at Large

*Provincial and Territorial Coalitions Committee**Committee of Adult Literacy Learners

STAFFJudy Cavanagh - Interim President and CEO (until December 2011)

Chris Harwood - Manager of Field Development

Annette Hegel - Manager of Communications

Melanie Karalis - Research and Communication Assistant

Lindsay Kennedy - President and CEO

Tony Mark - Project Manager (Labour Market Study)

Alyson Reid - Office Manager

Pat Sample - Administrative Assistant

Genevieve Tilden - Research and Communication Assistant

Katy Kydd Wright - Manager of Partnerships and Research

Henschel Business Services Inc - Bookkeeping

CLLN gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada's Office

of Literacy and Essential Skills (OLES)/HRSDC for core and project funding. We also

express our appreciation for the funds received from project partnerships, membership

fees and donations.

Our NationalNetwork

Increasing literacies and essential skills acrossCanada, Canadian Literacy and Learning Networkis the national hub for research, information andknowledge exchange.

We are proud to be an integral part of a diverse anddynamic national network of provincial andterritorial literacy and essential skillsorganizations: our members.

Our members raise the awareness of theimportance of Literacy and Essential Skills withstakeholders and partners, sharing informationabout the state of literacy in their provinces andterritories.

They promote accessible literacy and essentialskills programs for all who need them andcollaborate with others in order to support learningand find solutions.

They make connections to maximize resources andminimize duplication, prepare environmental scansand develop action plans to address issues.

They provide leadership, not only in their provincesand territories, but also nationally, when they cometogether as the network.

They connect to service providers in order tofacilitate collaboration, research, and professionaldevelopment sessions for employers and adulteducators.

And last, but not least, our members supportlearners and practitioners in their efforts toimprove Literacy and Essential Skills.

Saskatchewan Literacy Network

Literacy and Learning for Life

LEARNERS Close to 10

million Canadian adults do not have the

literacy and essential skills to fully

participate in all aspects of civic life.

Canadian industry experiences skills gaps

and labour shortages. To add to that, the bar

for functional literacy is getting set higher all

the time. Ultimately, everything CLLN works

for, is to impact the adult learner, be it the

individual in a community literacy program

or Canada as a whole, embracing a culture of

self-directed, lifelong learning.

Canadian Adult Learners’ Week 2012CLLN, in collaboration with the RESDAC, rolled

out a full national campaign, complete with

posters, an interactive web-environment and a

community group tool-box.

Learner Focus Group: WorkplaceLiteracy and Essential Skills LearnersAs part of CLLN’s Learner Engagement Strategy,

CLLN facilitated a discussion among a group of

adults who had participated in workplace/workforce

education and training during the bi-annual

national network meetings. The focus group

participants were gathered from across Canada.

The outcome of the session was to inform policy

development at CLLN from the consumer or

client perspective.

LITERACy ANd EARNINGS PROjECT As champions for

literacy and essential skills, we know that

literacy is a key factor in determining an

individual’s labour market outcomes. Over

the past 18 months, CLLN has been engaged

in a series of research projects exploring the

economic impacts of literacy - on individuals

as well as the greater economy.The result is a

substantial body of work that provides new

insights based on current data.

ReportsThe reports illustrate the opportunities for

individuals, business and government that open

up when investing in upskilling Canada’s

workforce. Approaching the issue from a variety

of angles, these reports are proving a useful tool

to communicate to new audiences.

Panel discussionsIt is important to take the conversation of

investment in literacy and essential skills out

into the bigger world - this is part education,

part engagement. These events have given CLLN

the opportunity to collaborate with other

networks and create new partnerships.

Projects

LITERACyPROFESSIONALSTirelessly delivering programming across

Canada in thousands of communities, in

schools, colleges or community literacy

organizations, L/ES professionals often

work in isolation. There is little time left in

the day of a practitioner to network and

share best practices. CLLN is making space

to collect, store and disseminate meaningful

information about this workforce and their

experience.

Occupational Task ProfilesThrough comprehensive research and key

informant interviews CLLN established a pan-

Canadian snapshot of the wide-ranging

competencies of the literacy and essential skills

workforce. The report has been widely

disseminated, nationally and internationally, in

print and digitally. To date, Chris Harwood has

shared the findings of the report with workshop

participants in Ontario and Manitoba

Pan-Canadian Forum for L/ES WorkforceCLLN identified the need for a space in which to

debate issues that affect the field. We have been

experimenting with an online practitioner forum

using Moodle and so far about 60 people have

enrolled from coast to coast across Canada. The

varied backgrounds of L/ES educators and

others involved in the L/ES field have led to

some interesting questions and discussions

about position titles, mentorship and

professional development. The responses have

been thoughtful and thought-provoking.

Labour Market Study of Literacyand Essential Skills WorkforceThe first of its kind, CLLN’s workforce labour

market study (LMS) will survey practitioners of

L/ES on issues related to working conditions,

employment and income as well as on

professional background, work experience and

expertise. A much clearer picture of these

professionals allows CLLN and its partners to

effectively facilitate a network of the L/ES

practitioner community, develop the building of

knowledge and expertise in and of the field, as

well as move towards the standardization and

professionalization of L/ES delivery in Canada.

With project funding from OLES, CLLN has

contracted the Social Research and

Demonstration Corporation (SRDC), to conduct

the survey. In addition, an advisory committee

comprised of multi-sector representatives from

across Canada, is guiding CLLN and the LMS

throughout the process, providing critical

perspective and a wealth of experience in order

for the LMS to be as useful, representative and

complete as possible.

Other activities this past year were:

Complete visual re-branding of CLLN,

Participation in CCC Skills Gaps roundtables,

Presentations to Parliamentary Committees,

State of the Field of Literacy and Essential

Skills in Canada

PartnersOLES The Office of Literacy and

Essential Skills (OLES) is focused on

improving the literacy and essential skills of

adult Canadians. In partnership with OLES,

CLLN is part of the Centre of Excellence,

developing and disseminating knowledge and

tools to prepare Canada’s workforce for the

challenges of the new economies.

Public PolicyForum The Public Policy Forum

(PPF) is an independent, not-for-profit

organization dedicated to improving the

quality of government in Canada through

enhanced dialogue among the public, private

and voluntary sectors. With PPF, CLLN is

reaching deeper into the world of employers,

engaging them in the dialogue about upskilling

in the workplace.

SRdC The Social Research and

Demonstration Corporation (SRDC) is

recognized as a national leader in social

research and experimentation. For two

decades, SRDC has been building a knowledge

base and learning what works in social policy,

as well as what does not work.

With SRDC, CLLN has found a highly

experienced partner to execute the national

survey of the literacy and essential skills

workforce.

ABC ABC Life Literacy Canada

connects and mobilizes business, unions,

government, communities and individuals to

support lifelong learning and achieve goals

through leadership in programs,

communications and partnerships.

CLLN and ABC are collaborating on a major

project to market the need for L/ES workplace

training and its implementation as a business

solution to small- and medium sized

enterprises across Canada.

Centre forLiteracy The Centre for Literacy is

a centre of expertise that supports best

practices and informed policy development in

Literacy and Essential Skills by creating

bridges between research, policy and practice.

CLLN partners with the Centre in learning

events, such as institutes and workshops,

action research projects and publications.

RESdACLe Réseau pour le

développement de l’alphabétisme et des

compétences (RESDAC) works to promote

literacy as a right and also to improve the

Literacy and Essential Skills of adult

Francophone Canadians outside Quebec.

CLLN partners with the RESDAC on many

levels - from workshops and forums to the

national promotion of Canadian Adult

Learners’ Week. This partnership is especially

important as it links the French and English

literacy networks.

uNESCO A UN body, UNESCO

supports education around the world as a

building block to well-functioning democracies

and peaceful societies. It is a sound investment

that helps nations and communities to develop

economically and socially. UNESCO works to

promote education as a fundamental right. It

focuses on improving the quality of education,

promoting gender equality, and stimulating

experimentation, innovation and policy

dialogue. CLLN has an ongoing dialogue with

UNESCO, as well as partnering in the

promotion of Canadian Adult Learners’ Week.

CuPEWith 618,000 members across

Canada, CUPE is Canada’s largest union,

representing workers in health care,

education, municipalities, libraries,

universities, social services, public utilities,

transportation, emergency services and

airlines. CLLN and CUPE are working together

to identify ways to build support for workplace

learning and addressing learners’ needs.

Other collaborators are:

Council of Ministers of Education (CMEC)

Canadian Chamber of Commerce

The National Literacy Table

Association of Canadian Community Colleges

Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC)

LiteracyEXPRESSA quarterly newsletter that responds to issues

relevant to the Literacy and Essential Skills

Field with timely, in-depth analysis and

information. This year’s issues were focused

on Digital Literacy, Practitioners and L/ES in

the Workplace.

Competencies: a Pan-Canadian Snapshotaka Occupational Task Profiles: Canadian

Literacy and Essential Skills Workforce

names the core competencies that key

informants deemed to be essential. These can

be useful when developing job descriptions for

L/ES educators. The characteristics needed by

L/ES educators are seen as part of their core

competencies. As part of this snapshot CLLN

has collected current samples of job

descriptions from the key informants.

From Poverty to Prosperity:Literacy’s Impact onCanada’s Economic SuccessThe authors of this report analyzed the most

recent data to illustrate the impact of literacy

skills on both the micro- and macro-economic

levels. The report explores whether there is

evidence of a direct link between literacy skill

and income level. Data relating to the ability to

get a job, job retention and promotion, risk of

job loss, length of time unemployed and rates

of pay were examined. The report provides a

summary of how literacy skill and low income

are related, and what these relationships imply

for public policy.

Learning to Earning: LinkingLiteracy and Poverty usingIALS data on Earnings - a literature reviewThis literature review explores the relationship

between literacy and poverty using data from

the International Adult Literacy Survey

(IALS). The IALS data provides extensive

information about literacy and related factors

such as employment, earnings, education and

demographics that can be applied in the

discussions of literacy and poverty. The focus

on earnings, as opposed to other indicators of

well-being, was mainly dictated by the scarcity

of data explicitly linking literacy skill levels to

other social outcomes. A series of research

questions was created to guide the literature

review.

Publications

Investing in upskilling:Gains for Individuals,Employers and GovernmentExamining costs and savings associated with

moving every Canadian with a Literacy Level 1

or 2 (on the international literacy scale) to

Level 3, this analysis is based upon statistically

matched data from the 2003 International

Adult Literacy and Skills Survey and the 2005

– 2009 Surveys of Labour and Income

Dynamics. The methods provide a mechanism

to explore the relationships between benefit

receipt and literacy skill.

State of the Literacy andEssential Skills Field inCanada 2012For the first time those interested in the Field

and beyond have a comprehensive document

to refer to when looking to get a solid overview

of Literacy and Essential Skills in Canada.

Painstakingly researched, supported by

CLLN’s national network members’

environmental scans, as well reviewing all

current resources available, this report will be

the baseline for future editions to come.

Getting to WorkplaceEssentialsThe fully revised and updated version of

“Getting to Workplace Essential Skills” is a

slide presentation to increase literacy

awareness, knowledge about literacy and

essential skills and/or literacy programs for

employers, as well as training workplace

educators. This presentation is available

online with presenters’ notes.

The Big Picture - Literacy inCanadaThe fully revised and updated version of “The

Big Picture” provides an overview of Literacy

in Canada, Literacy Facts, Challenges and

Barriers, and information about CLLN. It is a

popular training tool for both literacy

professionals and volunteers. This

presentation is available online with

presenters’ notes.

All CLLN publications are available online and

are licenced under a Creative Commons

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0

Unported License.

Looking AheaLITERACy ANdEARNINGSPROjECTRoundtablesCLLN – in partnership with Canada’s Public

Policy Forum – will conduct a series of

roundtables with policymakers, employers and

labour stakeholders to further investigate the

significant returns on investment – both,

monetary and social – into literacy and

essential skills.

LITERACyPROFESSIONALSSurvey and AnalysisThe large scale (3000 practitioners across

Canada, Anglophone and Francophone)

strategically designed survey will be

distributed, collected, analyzed and reported

on over the next year, with results expected in

the fall of 2013.

LEARNERSNational ForumIn 2013, CLLN will be partnering with CUPE

and an employer organization to identify what

research and knowledge is available about

learners in the workplace, including success

indicators from workplace learners’

perspectives, gaps in workplace learning, and

accommodating cultural, linguistic and racial

diversity in workplace learning. This

information will be sought through surveys

and key informant interviews. A national

forum will identify ways to build support for

workplace learning and addressing learners’

needs.

Online Learner SurveyThe aim of this survey is to gather information

about learning as an adult. The focus is on

informal adult learning, related to interests

and personal development, that adults

participate in voluntarily rather than as a

requirement of job or career. Experiences and

the results from the survey will be used to build

up CLLN’s knowledge about adult learning.

adNEW PROjECTSBuilding Solutions:Engaging Employers inLiteracy and Essential Skills(L/ES) development for theCanadian WorkforceThis 24 month project is a joint endeavour

between CLLN and ABC Life Literacy. The

project will focus on activities and interactions

that will increase awareness on the part of

Canadian small, medium and large enterprises

- in all regions of the country - of the need for

L/ES workplace training and its

implementation as a business solution. The

project team will work to bring together the

business sector and the adult literacy/essential

skills sector in order to address workplace

training gaps. The project will result in a

specific action plan for business, labour and

the L/ES sector and will identify national

champions who can engage other employers

moving forward.

digital SkillsTo scaffold the ongoing dialogue within our

network on how to advance digital skills of

learners of all levels, CLLN will compile an in-

house body of knowledge of digital

skills/digital technology and its impact on

L/ES. Through a review of published reports,

key informant interviews, and data gathered

from subject matter experts, CLLN will be able

to provide capacity building opportunities to

the national network members and others to

increase their understanding of the

importance of this trend.

The SROI of LiteracyStill at the dawn of social financing models,

CLLN is developing materials and activities

that will build the capacity of the L/ES field to

enable our network to gain access to these new

funding sources. Issues to be addressed first:

developing indicators and proxies, calculating

SROI, and pay for performance initiatives.

Other activities to come:

Poverty to Prosperity Roundtables

PIAAC task force

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Grants

Unrestricted

Funds

Total Revenues

Revenue Sources 2012

Expenses

Financials

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Assets

Liabilities & Net Assets

The financials have been compiledfrom CLLN’s audited statements.

Auditing services have beenprovided by Rheume WilliamsKalbfleisch, LLP.

A detailed auditor’s report isavailable at: www.literacy.ca/financials_2012