ReadNow BC

Increase the number of adults who have the literacy and essential skills necessary to compete in today’s labour market and to function in everyday life

The Challenge:

  • Recent studies show that more than one million adult British Columbians do not have the skills necessary to read a newspaper or to fill out a job application.

Our Goal:

  • To increase the number of adults who have the literacy and essential skills to understand and use printed information in daily activities, at home, at work and in the community from 65% to 67% in the next 3 years and to 70% in the next 10 years.

How will Government achieve this goal?

As Government and partners move forward with ReadNow BC, other actions, in addition to the examples listed below, will be developed to ensure all British Columbians have opportunities to improve their literacy skills.

  • Create public awareness and outreach actions to encourage adults with low literacy to participate in learning opportunities.
  • Develop adult literacy programs that focus primarily on immigrants, Aboriginal people and people with low literacy in the workplace
  • Expand community-based adult literacy programs for learners at the lowest literacy levels, with increased focus on families and Aboriginal people.
  • Introduce a ReadNow BC website to provide one-stop information about reading programs and services
  • Develop new pathways and recognition for adult learners in community, K-12 and post-secondary literacy programs.
  • Expand English as a Second Language programs and literacy training opportunities for immigrants in small or rural communities currently without service.
  • Implement a workplace literacy/essential skills initiative to improve literacy levels and essential skills of those already in the workforce.
Increase the number of adults who have the literacy and essential skills necessary to compete in today’s labour market and to function in everyday life [PDF 112KB]

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1-888-READ234: This toll-free literacy hotline provides British Columbians with details on how to access literacy programs and services. Translation services are able to accommodate Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Farsi, French, Punjabi, Spanish, Vietnamese, and more.