Sharing Expertise

PTP Compass is a division of PTP-Adult Learning and Employment Programs. Its social purpose is to support, train and develop other organizations and training providers across Canada in the development of effective workforce oriented programming. Our flagship product, CAMERA (Communication and Math Employment Readiness Assessment), a series of standardized, competency-based tests, underpins Compass and other aspects of our work.

TAKING PTP’s EXPERTISE TO NUNAVUT

Spotting Barriers

Nunavut Arctic College is the only institution of higher education in Nunavut, serving all 25 communities. The college’s Adult Basic Education programs provide basic skills for adult learners but are not sufficient to allow them to access higher education – something many students need to find better paying jobs. Arctic College identified this as a gap in their programming and approached PTP for help with meeting the needs of these potential learners.

Seeking Solutions

Arctic College contracted PTP to develop an Essential Skills curriculum tailored to the needs of adult Nunavut learners, with program content built around the life and work experiences of an Inuk living in a local community. This would have been a significant effort for any education program, but the challenges were even greater in Nunavut. Each of the 25 communities has a unique culture and teaching/learning tradition, so program materials had to be tailored to each community.

To get a better sense of the needs of local learners and instructors, PTP’s program developers worked with college staff to compile local materials that would reflect learners’ cultural experiences, including more than 1,000 workplace and cultural documents. They also visited the communities, conducted interviews with instructors, observed classes and, in one instance, even taught part of a class. PTP staff then used this background to research and develop the necessary course materials, including in-class assessments and assignments, and design and deliver training on the use of the products.

Seeing Impact

PTP’s collaborative partnership with Nunavut Arctic College produced course curricula, assessment tools, evaluation guides and instructor training, all tailored to the Nunavut context. The impact of this partnership improved Nunavut’s adult basic education services, which in turn enhanced the ability of Nunavummiut to take advantage of better job opportunities in the region’s growing economy.