The fact that there is a strong correlation between low levels of education and unemployment is undeniable. According to Skills Nova Scotia Framework and 2002- 2003 Action Plan, only 6% of jobs will be held by those who have not finished high school and 70% of jobs will require some form of post-secondary education. Ensuring that persons with literacy challenges and low levels of education have access to programs and support that facilitate their participation in society and their participation in the changing labour market is of paramount importance.

Access to programs remains a challenge in the Strait Region with only one campus of the Nova Scotia Community College serving the four counties, no Adult High School in the area and the Strait Regional School Board does not offer NSSAL credits. For many learners in this region, the Community-Based Learning Initiative remains the only game in town. Many adults in the Strait Region face the same barriers to participation in adult literacy programming as those identified in national studies. A study undertaken by ABC Canada found that less than half of those who contact a literacy group actually enrol in a program and of those who do enrol, 30 percent drop out.¹⁷ Transportation and childcare are two of the greatest barriers to participation and in the Strait Region adults have limited access to educational institutions to obtain their high school diploma.

Even though the number of GED tests administered in Nova Scotia decreased by 30% between 1995 and 1997¹⁸, adult learners enrolled in programs through the CLI Networks in the Strait Region indicated their reason for enrolling in the program was to obtain their GED Certificate. Richmond County Literacy Network has 29 adult learners enrolled and 20 indicated this preference while 46 out of 62 adult learners with the Antigonish Adult Learning Network will attempt to get their GED certificate. By contrast only 9 adult learners in Richmond and Antigonish intend to pursue their Nova Scotia High School Diploma for Adults.