Highlights
- Study to be conducted on the economic impact of not addressing literacy issues in the workplace;
- Creation of the Journée Alpha réussite – Relevons les défis de l’employabilité et de l’alphabétisation, which will bring together the literacy, education and business communities;
- 53% of adult Quebecers have reading difficulties, including 1 million who are illiterate;
- Québec’s population ranks 10th among the Canadian provinces in literacy.
Montréal, May 17, 2017 – The Fonds de solidarité FTQ and the Literacy Foundation are joining forces to tackle the challenges associated with illiteracy in the workplace. The two organizations plan to conduct a study on the economic impact of not addressing literacy issues at work.
The findings will be unveiled in winter 2018 at the first symposium called Journée Alpha réussite – Relevons les défis de l’employabilité et de l’alphabétisation. Other editions are planned for 2019 and 2020.
Under this new partnership agreement, the Fonds will participate in The Gift of Reading program and support the Foundation with its Info-Alpha and Adult Learnline referral lines.
Quotes
“In 2017, it is estimated that more than one out of two Quebecers has some form of trouble reading and writing. This means they have an insufficient command of literacy skills enabling them to read so they can learn independently, understand and fully participate in society. Consequently, they can forget about getting ahead at work and imagine how much trouble they would have finding another job if their company suddenly closed its doors.”
André Huberdeau, President of the Literacy Foundation
“The advent of new technologies will dramatically transform our economy. Already an important issue, the problem of workers with poor literacy skills will get worse if nothing is done. We have to act now to enable as many Quebecers as possible to hold the jobs of tomorrow and to help build the Québec of the future.”
Gaétan Morin, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fonds de solidarité FTQ
About the Fonds de solidarité FTQ
The Fonds de solidarité FTQ is a development capital fund that channels the savings of Quebecers into investments. As at November 30, 2016, the organization had $12.2 billion in net assets, and through its current portfolio of investments has helped create and protect over 187,000 jobs. The Fonds is a partner in more than 2,600 companies and has nearly 618,000 shareholder-savers. For more information, visit fondsftq.com
About the Literacy Foundation
Founded in 1989, the Literacy Foundation is a charitable organization whose mission is to support adults and children so they can develop their ability to read and write and participate fully in society. The Foundation is a referral centre and is active in all the regions of Québec.
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Information for media representatives only:
Myriam Désourdy
Advisor, Communications and Events
Literacy Foundation
Phone: 514 289-1178, ext. 235
Email:
mdesourdy@fondationalphabetisation.org
Patrick McQuilken
Senior Advisor, Media Relations and Communications
Fonds de solidarité FTQ
Phone: 514 850-4835
Mobile: 514 703-5587
Email:
pmcquilken@fondsftq.com