Federal government announces funds for skills-training programs for 17 organizations

CHARLOTTETOWN – The federal government is announcing a $60-million investment in 17 organizations across Canada that help people with learning disabilities remain in the workforce.

Federal Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough made the announcement in Charlottetown, where a skills-training company in the city — Workplace Learning PEI — is set to receive about $1.5 million.

Qualtrough says the money will be distributed through the Skills for Success program, which helps people develop abilities such as writing and reading.

The government says that program helps address training needs, particularly for under-represented groups in the labour market, including Indigenous Peoples and racialized Canadians.

Qualtrough says about one in five Canadians has a learning disability.

The government says about 45 per cent of Canadians lack the literacy, numeracy and digital skills to succeed in the knowledge economy.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 25, 2022.