Adult Learner Wins Premier's Award for Achievement

Jason Dykens is setting a good example for his children. The married father of three was working for minimum wage and decided to continue his education to secure a higher paying job for his family. He completed his General Education Diploma (GED) in May 2006, and on Thursday, July 27, was announced the Nova Scotia recipient of the Council of the Federation Literacy Award.

Canada's premiers announced the thirteen recipients of the awards at a gathering in St. John's, NL. Mr. Dykens, of Waterville, was the Nova Scotia winner.

The award is presented in each Canadian province and territory, and recognizes outstanding achievement and excellence in literacy. It is presented to educators, volunteers, learners, community organizations, non-governmental organizations and businesses. In Nova Scotia, the award is presented to an outstanding adult learner who has improved his or her literacy skills.

Mr. Dykens has taken significant steps to improve his literacy and numeracy skills. While working for Flowercart, an agency that facilitates training and employment opportunities for people with cognitive or learning disabilities, he secured a learning opportunity at Michelin, one of Nova Scotia's largest employers. While working full time, he enrolled at the Kings County Learning Association where he met with a tutor and attended classes on evenings and weekends to prepare to write the GED exam.

"I was really busy, from daylight to sunset but it was well worth it," said Mr. Dykens. "I feel better about myself, I'm more prepared and best of all, my children are getting more interested in learning."

Nova Scotia invests more than $6.6 million to offer programs to the more than 4,800 adults supported through Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning. Since its inception five years ago, about 2,000 adult Nova Scotians have graduated with a high school diploma for adults. The province also invests more than $500,000 in partner with business and labour groups to support the 1,200 adults who participated in workplace education programs offered at more than 80 workplaces across the province.

"We need a skilled, educated workforce to keep our economy strong," said Premier Rodney MacDonald. "I congratulate Mr. Dykens and all adult learners who return to learning to upgrade their skills. They are making a better life for themselves and their families and ultimately, they are contributing to the continued prosperity of our province."

Canada's premiers created this award in 2004 in recognition of the importance of literacy as an essential building block to a vibrant society and economy.