Ministers Meet with the Atlantic Federal Caucuses
COUNCIL OF ATLANTIC MINISTERS OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING--
Ministers Meet with the Atlantic Federal Caucuses
The Council of Atlantic Ministers of Education and Training met on Wednesday, Feb. 16, and today, Feb. 17, in Ottawa with the three Atlantic federal caucuses to exchange ideas on ways to meet the education and training needs of Atlantic Canadians.
The ministers laid out a proposed framework that would see the two levels of government work together to improve university and community college infrastructure and build a stronger research capacity within the Atlantic region. The ministers stated that Atlantic post-secondary education institutions play a critical role in the region's economy and a well-developed research capacity will lead to major research and development projects.
The ministers also raised the issue of adult literacy, stating they would like to see the development of a federal-Atlantic long-term literacy strategy. The strategy would support quality, innovative and results-based training to address the lower levels of adult literacy in the region.
The ministers also addressed the issue of skills development. Skills development presents a key challenge to adults who possess talent and a strong work ethic, but lack formal education and skills credentials. The ministers of education and training suggested the need for a joint-investment initiative to improve access to lifelong learning, address the learning needs of the workforce, expand prior learning assessment and recognition, and provide training in essential workplace skills.
The ministers are unanimous in their belief that resolution of these issues is imperative if Atlantic Canada is to attain full prosperity and be more competitive nationally and internationally. They were pleased with the reception they received from their federal colleagues and considered this initial dialogue an excellent opportunity to develop a co- operative approach and align provincial and federal priorities which could lead to joint investments in education and training.
The Council of Atlantic Ministers of Education and Training plans to meet in the near future with federal Cabinet ministers who have responsibilities in the areas raised during this week's meetings.
The ministers in attendance at the meeting included Jamie Muir, Nova Scotia Minister of Education, Madeleine Dubé, New Brunswick Minister of Education, Margaret-Ann Blaney, New Brunswick Minister of Training and Employment Development, Tom Hedderson, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Education, and Mildred Dover, P.E.I. Minister of Education.