More than 50% of Nova Scotians do not have the literacy and essential skills required to work and thrive in our knowledge-based and increasingly tech-driven society.

The most recent international survey of literacy skills was released in October 2013 by PIAAC.

What is PIAAC?

The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) is an initiative of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD provides assessment and benchmarking of foundational skills of working-age adults around the world. PIAAC assessed the foundational skills of populations in 24 countries including Canada, in 2012-2013. In Canada, over 27,000 adults aged 16 to 65 participated in PIAAC.

Foundational skills include: literacy, numeracy, and problem solving in technology-rich environments. These skills are essential for succeeding in society and participating in today’s economy. For more information about PIAAC, check the links in the Resource section of the website! (with a direct link to the resource section)