The program also tracks former learners informally—by word of mouth, or when they come back to visit the program. Staff are also able to track them formally through their partnership with the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreement (AHRDA) office of the Native Women’s Association of the NWT.

Best Practice #4: Accessibility

A quality adult literacy and basic education program respects differences and is accessible to the broadest range of potential learners in the community.

The program fills a niche in the continuum of educational services offered within the NWT. Many of its learners do not fit in to more formal institutional-style programs, such as college or high school programs. They may have been out of school for a number of years and/or may have had personal problems that prevented them from continuing their studies. Thus making the program accessible to as many learners as possible is important to Training Centre staff.

The program has an open door policy. It is open to anyone, both male and female, over the age of 17, from anywhere in Canada, although most learners come from either the Northwest Territories or Nunavut. Over the years, learners from all regions of the NWT have enrolled in the program. Staff send out program brochures to all the AHRDA committees and to other interested organizations. In addition, the program is advertised more extensively in Yellowknife through posters and radio announcements.