Office of Literacy and Essential Skills (OLES)

The Office of Literacy and Essential Skills (OLES) focuses on improving the literacy and essential skills of adult Canadians.

OLES focuses on:

• understanding what works,
  
  
• developing practical tools and
  supports, and
  
• providing employers, practitioners, and trainers with the tools and supports they need to improve the literacy and essential skills of adults.

For example, OLES manages grant and contribution agreements with stakeholders across Canada, develops literacy and essential skills tools, and conducts research, policy development, and partnership engagement activities.

OLES works in collaboration with a variety of partners such as Government of Canada departments, provincial and territorial governments and coalitions, and national organizations.

Tools

• Essential Skills Toolkit

Knowledge and Research

• Map of Literacy Levels in Canada 
• Literacy: Publications 
• Literacy: Resources 
• Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 

Events

• Family Literacy Day , January 27, is a national initiative that promotes the importance of reading and learning together as a family. For more information on Family Literacy Day events, visit the ABC Canada  Web site or the Fédération pour l'alphabétisation en français  Web site.