Port au Port Skills Link Group Broaden Their Horizons

Recently, the Port au Port Skills Link team completed the final stages of their field test study for the Newfoundland and Labrador Laubach Literacy Council (NLLLC).  The new adult literacy program’s computer module was field tested by the ten youth as part of the Skills Link program over a period of eight weeks; Bay St. George was one of several test sites.

“In today’s society,” Ms. Tulk, Skills Link coordinator and BSG Literacy tutor says, “computer skills are as essential as reading and writing,” and for this reason she was excited to partner with NLLLC for this opportunity.

“Field testing this program gave my team an opportunity to own their role in the overall success, as well as, to learn and gain the skills necessary to give them an extra advantage in the employment field.”

The computer module’s learner booklet guided each of the participants through a series of 12 lessons.  Each lesson was equipped with easy-to-follow instructions, useful websites and practical exercises.  As with most pilot projects, participants were asked to complete a series of evaluations, check lists and tests prior to, during and following the completion.

Ms. Tulk said that “while my team had been previously introduced to computers in school, many of them will tell you they learned something new from this program.  They enjoyed the interactive exercises online, especially how to use an ATM machine.”

Ms. Tulk says that the greatest challenge she faced with this program was access to ten computers.  She would like to thank Lourdes Public Library, HRLE, and L.A. Bown administration for accommodating them and this project during the past two months.

Linda Collier, Training Package Development Facilitator for NLLLC, thanked the Skills Link participants for their feedback on the computer module, which is one of four modules produced through the Essential Skills Literacy Training Tools for Older Adults project.   She presented each of the ten youth with a certificate of completion for their hard work and dedication to this very important and practical project.