Lead by the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick (LCNB) in partnership with Newfoundland and Labrador Laubach Literacy Council (NLLLC), Literacy Nova Scotia (LNS), and the Prince Edward Island Literacy Alliance (PEILA) (with funding by ESDC) The Essential Skills for the Atlantic Fisheries (ESAF) project has been moving along quite nicely.

Julia Dyke, project coordinator for the Newfoundland portion of the project has been meeting with and engaging community partners to establish a Community Advisory Group Group (CAG). This will be an advisory body that meets and provides ongoing advice to the Project Team/Coordinator. This group will discuss ideas, identify community resources, address employment barriers and help with the recruitment of participants.  The first meeting is expected to take place during the first week of October.

Of course for a project like this to work, employers in the fisheries sector will be instrumental to our success! This project will help address challenges faced by employers in the Fishing Sector by addressing labour market and workforce challenges. Employers with vacancies will be recruited to provide input to the planning and design of the program and a 6 to 12 week work placement for our participants.

Participants will also be recruited for this project. Participants will be provided training that integrates essential skills and employability skills with job-specific skills in the fisheries sector. The project will incorporate classroom, online and on-site customized training for up to 10 weeks followed by a 6 to 12 week work placement. In addition, supervisors /managers will be trained as Workplace Essential Skills Mentors.

By supporting individuals who will receive training and on the job work experience to help them be successful and maintain employment, we are hoping to help close the gap between employers and employees in the fishing sector.

If you are interested in learning more about the project Contact Julia Dyke, ESAF Project Coordinator.