Programs
The Halifax Community Learning Network (HCLN) provides FREE one-to-one tutoring and small group instruction to adults wishing to improve their reading, writing, spelling, math, computer basics and life skills. HCLN also provides FREE CAEC preparation classes.
HCLN will do a FREE assessment of your mathematics, reading, and writing skills, enabling learners to enter programs at the appropriate level. Learners may join any of our programs at any time during the year. Programs take place at various locations throughout the Halifax community.
Our programs run from September to June. Learners may register at any time during the year. Call 902-422-7648 or e-mail info@hcln.ca for information on joining our programs.

CAEC
The Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) is a new high school equivalency program developed in collaboration with provinces and territories across Canada. The CAEC is a Canadian-made education credential that meets industry standards as a replacement for General Educational Development (GED). The CAEC will provide a reliable indicator of Canadian adults' level of educational achievement for employers, post-secondary institutions and others.
Passing GED test scores from the 2002 Canadian GED Test Series will be recognized for test exemption (and count towards the new assessment) until May 2027.
Like the GED, the CAEC is a series of five tests (Math, Reading, Writing, Social Studies, and Science). At HCLN, we offer a mix of instructor-led sessions and independent study to help you prepare for these exams. Our instructors will guide you through the material, assist with setting up your CAEC account, and help you schedule your tests. The CAEC is free for Nova Scotia residents. Please check this page for updates.
Learn more here.
LOCATION:
Captain William Spry Community Centre
16 Sussex St, Halifax, NS
Wednesdays, 10:00am - 2:30pm

Aptitude Test Preparation
If you are preparing to write an aptitude test for career entry, post-secondary education, or apprenticeship, this program may be right for you. A program will be devised to fit your unique needs and can cover numeracy, spatial ability, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and problem-solving.
What can this program do for you?
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Feel more confident when writing aptitude testing for the military, policing, or border security.
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Build stronger skills for entry into manufacturing or writing a college entry assessment.
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Improve your abilities in core knowledge required for apprenticeship exams
Offered via: in-person classes (daytime/evening) or one-to-one tutoring (daytime/evening as available).


E3 Program:
Education, Essential Skills, Empowerment
The goal of this multifaceted program is to build learners’ skills, understanding, and confidence around technology using a variety of digital tools. The classes are dynamic, taking into account the individual needs of each learner. We like to work together as a group to help ensure meaningful learning is happening.
This program also helps learners understand the different types of literacy we see every day and how they are important in our lives, communities, and jobs. It is a chance to come together with others to focus on and learn about different literacy areas such as cultural, digital, financial, civic, health, and workplace literacy.
Offered via: in-person classes (daytime) or one-to-one tutoring (daytime/evening as available).

Reading Strategies
For people who know how to read but who have never felt like strong readers or have never enjoyed reading. Our Reading Strategies course will help you to strengthen your text- and document-comprehension skills. We'll learn about the science of reading, including decoding and analyzing words, and reading strategies for comprehension, application, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of text.
This course will give you the foundational reading skills needed for CAEC and other formal tests, academic study, and employment.
Offered via: in-person classes (daytime/evening) or one-to-one tutoring (daytime/evening as available).


Red Seal Exam Preparation
If you are preparing to write the Red Seal Exam (an exam that tests your knowledge of the trade activities of your trade), this program may be right for you.
What can this program do for you?
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Feel more confident when writing the Red Seal Exam
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Build stronger skills for entry into manufacturing/tradework
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Improve your abilities in core knowledge required for this exam.
Offered via: in-person classes (daytime/evening) or one-to-one tutoring (daytime/evening as available).