Ontario. Literacy Branch

• Literacy Branch

The Literacy Branch was established in 1988 as part of the Skills Training Division of the Ontario Ministry of Skills Development. The new Branch assumed some of the functions and programs previously administered by the Training Support Services Branch, and originally was comprised of the Basic Skills Training Unit and the Community Literacy Program Unit. In 1989 the Literacy Branch comprised the MIS Unit, the Ontario Basic Skills Unit (formerly Basic Skills Training Unit), and the Community and Workplace Literacy Unit (replacing the Community Literacy Program Unit).

In the winter of 1990, the Literacy Branch was transferred to the Ontario Ministry of Education, where it became part of the Learning Programs Division. The Branch was re-organized in 1991, the various units being merged into a Program and Policy Section; then, in 1992, the Branch was moved to the Education Programs and Services Division. In February, 1993, the Literacy Branch became part of the new Ontario Ministry of Education and Training. However, in the fall of 1993, the Literacy Branch was transferred to the Ontario Training and Adjustment Board (OTAB). In 1994, the Literacy Branch became a section of Learning and Employment Preparation (renamed Workplace Preparation Division in 1995).

In 1996, as a result of the integration of OTAB into the Ministry of Education and Training, the Workplace Preparation Division (including the Literacy Section) was renamed the Workplace Preparation Branch and became part of the Training Division of the Ministry of Education and Training. Later in 1996, the Literacy Section was renamed the Literacy and Basic Skills Section.

The Literacy Branch assisted individuals and communities in developing literacy and other basic skills necessary to achieve social, cultural and economic goals. The Branch conducted outreach and advocacy activities, as well as developing and supporting information referral networks. Programs for which the Branch was responsible include the Ontario Basic Skills Program, the Ontario Community Literacy grants, the Ontario Basic Skills in the Workplace Program, Adult Basic Literacy/Numeracy, Literacy Field Development and Support, Workplace/Workforce Equity and Basic Skills, and the Special Project Fund.

RAD: Rules for Archival Description, 2nd edn (2008)

2026-11-16: migrated to AtoM

Canadiana Name Authorities, 1996-12-24.

KWIK Index to Government Services

Ontario Government Telephone Directories

Archivist's Collection Files

Canadiana reports that the Literacy Branch was established in 1986 within the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture, but no evidence for this appears to exist.

Archivist(s):
R. Anger