3.3Education, Training and Youth

An Investment in People

In virtually all public consultation sessions and all sectoral forums, the critical importance of education and the development of our most important resource – our people but especially our youth – was emphasized as a key ingredient for long term economic success. Presenter after presenter cited the strategic role played by education in the recovery and vitality of the economies of such countries as Ireland, Iceland and the Scandinavian nations. It is clear that there is no greater investment we can make than in the education of our youth - for their own economic futures - but also for the long term economic prosperity of the province as a whole. Four key themes were highlighted in the consultations to that end.

"... the value of education for economic success has been clearly demonstrated. The link between higher levels of education and (both) better employment prospects ... and higher income has been demonstrated over and over."

- - Mr. Fred Andrews, Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Association

Excellence, Equality of Opportunity and Entrepreneurship in the K-12 System    Excellence in the Kindergarten to Grade 12 system was viewed as being extremely important to providing the foundation for our children to succeed in a vibrant, knowledge based economy. The need to develop entrepreneurship skills throughout a child's education, starting at an early age, received particular attention, as did the need to develop strong literacy skills, including computer literacy. Presenters also spoke to the importance of equality of opportunity in the education of our children, whether they live in major urban centres or small rural communities. The work of the Ministerial Panel on Educational Delivery in the Classroom was referenced repeatedly in the consultations as an opportunity to address these challenges.

"... our educational system should be in step with the North American trend towards entrepreneurial careers, and ensure that our high school graduates have those skills."

- Ms. Margaret Ayad, Baccalieu Trail Board of Trade

Access to Post-secondary Education and Trainging Opportunities    Access to relevant and affordable post-secondary education, training and life-long learning opportunities was stressed repeatedly by presenters. Presenters noted that ongoing advances in technology, telecommunications infrastructure, and distance teaching could enhance our capacity to deliver, in a cost effective manner, quality post-secondary education and training services to students in all areas of the province.

"... quality education and training will play an essential role in maintaining competitiveness and in securing a vibrant and prosperous future..."

- Ms. Yvonne Rideout, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture

Ensuring the Education and Training System Remains Relevant and Adaptable to the Needs of the Economy    Many people talked about the strategic importance of education and training for the further development of the economy, but particularly in new emerging sectors of our economy. Presenters emphasized the importance of better matching and coordinating education and training programs with existing and future job opportunities in the province, at both the community and industry levels. Workplace training was also identified as a key contributor to ongoing skills development in a constantly changing global economy, and an important means for firms to improve their competitiveness. The need for creative approaches to equipping and helping youth make a successful transition from school to work was also highlighted.

"...youth are our greatest resource. The word 'resource' often has to do with... natural resources. But in terms of youth, we mean resource as a source of support, guidance or aid. In other words, we can help. Let the youth of this province help forge the tomorrow that we hope to inherit "

-Mr. Jason Beck, Youth Representative, Kittiwake Economic Development Corp

A Focus on Youth   We also heard that a renewed approach to engaging the youth of our province in shaping the future is needed. Youth need to take on an increasingly active role in determining the directions we adopt over the long term. We need to encourage their participation and make them full partners in the renewal process with all other major stakeholders.

Priorities for Action

• Government will consider and act on the Ministerial Panel on Educational Delivery in the Classroom as a priority. To ensure resources are available early in 2000-01 to meet key needs identified during the Panel's consultations, the Department of Education will adopt the following immediate measures:

  • Invest new resources totaling $2.2 million in 2000-01 for curriculum enhancements in the classroom. This will be in addition to the core annual curriculum budget of $4.5 million.

  • Retain and reinvest some $17 million in classroom teaching positions that, under the established teacher-ratio funding formula, would have otherwise been removed from the system in 2000-01 due to overall declining enrollment. This will primarily benefit rural areas in keeping with the need to equalize educational opportunities in the classroom between urban and rural communities.

  • Increase the investment in professional development of teachers by almost $1 million annually, commencing in 2000-01. This will provide teachers at all levels with the required skills and knowledge to deliver relevant and effective curriculum in the classroom in a constantly evolving economic and social environment.

• Government will release a Strategic Literacy Plan in the near future and commence implementation immediately. This plan is being developed in consultation with key stakeholders. Through the Department of Education, government will, as its first action under the plan, establish a $1 million Literacy Endowment Fund, to be matched by the National Literacy Secretariat. The Provincial Literacy Council will be asked to seek an equivalent contribution from the private sector. If successful, this will result in a $3 million new investment for strategic literacy initiatives.

• Government is committed to making post-secondary education and training more affordable within the context of the province's overall fiscal position and the federal government's role and responsibility to invest in this area as well. This is important from both an economic and a social development perspective. A review of the Student Aid Program is already underway. As an interim measure, government will provide additional resources to Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic to permit tuition rates to be frozen at their current levels for two more years. This will keep tuition rates stable over a combined three year period and represents a $36 million investment by the province.

• To ensure our post-secondary education and training system responds effectively to the needs of our people and economy, a new Labour Market Development Council will be established. It will be a partnership between government, industry, labour and post-secondary institutions. A mechanism will also be established to bring other stakeholders into the deliberations of the Council, including the volunteer "community" sector, to ensure equality of opportunity emerges for all citizens. The Council will act as a forum for communication, dialogue, collaboration and coordination, at a strategic level, among key stakeholders. It will also provide advice to government during the formulation of a Labour Market Development Strategy for the province, which is being pursued under the Strategic Social Plan.

• Government, through the Department of Human Resources and Employment, will invest an additional $1 million to expand NewfoundJOBS in 2000-01, bringing the total annual investment in this successful program to $3 million. NewfoundJOBS helps people on income support to enter or re-enter the labour force and find long term jobs. In 1999, approximately 1,000 income support clients received assistance through this program.

• Government, through the Department of Human Resources and Employment, will invest $7.5 million in 2000-01 to assist post-secondary youth gain work experience in the labour market during their educational studies and find their first job upon graduation.

• To assist people living with a disability participate as active and productive members of the labour force, the Department of Human Resources and Employment will invest an additional $500,000 for employment support services for persons with disabilities. This is in addition to the $500,000 annual investment in the Opening Doors Program which gives individuals with a disability the opportunity for employment and work experience in the public service.

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