The province established the Manitoba Literacy Office (now the Adult Basic Skills Unit (ALBSU) of Employment Development/Literacy Programs) in September 1989. ALBSU is responsible for the coordination and management of a range of adult literacy programming in Manitoba. Adult literacy is defined as "the ability to understand and employ printed information in daily activities, at home, at work and in the community- to achieve one's goals, and to develop one's knowledge and potential".

Community-based Adult Literacy ProgramsOver the past eight years, Manitoba has maintained its commitment to literacy programming. Funding levels began at $500,000 annually in 1989/90. The 1996/97 level is $813,500 for community-based adult literacy for programs.
As part of this government's overall commitment to the literacy, the funding increases in 1995/1996 and 1996/1997 exceeded the Premier's commitment to the literacy field which was $100,000,00 annually for the next five years.

Thirty-five (35) community-based programs are funded throughout the province, providing programming to close to 1700 individuals in this year.

Literacy programs for employment development program clients

In 1995/96, the province began to provide literacy provision to individuals on social assistance attending programming at the network of Employment Development Centres (EDC.). This initiative is being expanded in 1996/97 as part of Welfare Reform.

Students must be on social assistance in order to conform to Employment Development Program (EDP.) requirement. Referrals may come from municipal or provincial referral agencies, from the local EDP, or be self-referred. Winnipeg literacy programs will notify the Winnipeg EDP (Community Partnerships) about self-referrals.

Programs will do an initial assessment to determine appropriated literacy placement. Each program will run for at least 20 weeks for nine hours per week. Instruction will do an initial assessment to determine appropriated literacy placement. Each program will run for at least 20 weeks for nine hours per week. Instruction will include reading, writing and math as well as an introduction to computer skills.

Students will be directed to the employment preparation up-grading support program on a first come, first served basis. EDP referrals will have priority for each intake. A waiting list will be developed after the intake of students has been completed.