TERMS OF REFERENCE

Purpose of the study

At the recent Conference of First Ministers, an acknowledgment was made that women's economic equality is an integral part of an overall economic agenda for Canada. Improvement in women's education and training were identified as being key to a Canadian economic strategy for growth and renewal.

For the past ten years, CCLOW has advocated for improved access of women to education and training in Canada, and has provided recommendations on how education and training systems could be more accommodating to women's learning needs. CCLOW has undertaken several research studies to assist us in understanding and assessing the issues concerning adult basic education, post-secondary education, and federal training programs.

With the introduction of the National Training Act in 1979 and the Canadian Jobs Strategy program in 1985, there has been a severe decrease in the number of women receiving training in Canada and an apparent erosion in the quality and types of training being offered to women.

The privatization of adult education and training has appeared to have an adverse affect on women's involvement in programs. Studies show that existing entrance criteria excludes undereducated women, underemployed women and women in part-time jobs. Women requiring ESL training, bridging programs, immigrant women and native women are not being accommodated. Overwhelming numbers of women are still be trained and educated for traditional occupations, many of which are low-paying and short-term.

CCLOW is concerned that women still do not have equal access to adult education and training programs in Canada, that privatization has, and will continue to have, adverse effects on the quality of courses, and that women are not benefiting from their participation in adult education and training programs in Canada.

With these concerns in mind, the proposed study will examine how adult education and training policies in Canada is implemented and evaluate its effects on women.

Scope of the study

The study should cover all aspects of adult education and training. Specifically the study should examine adult basic education, post-secondary education (excluding universities) and training in both the profit and not-for-profit, sectors.