Results of the International Assessment of Adult Competencies were released across the globe this morning showing positive results for our province, says Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning Allen Roach.

The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) is the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) first-ever international study of skills needed for today’s world. Data collection took place over 2011-12. PIAAC measures skills in literacy, numeracy, and problem solving in technology-rich environments among adults between the ages of 16 and 65, in 24 countries and sub-national regions.

“As a province, we are encouraged to see that Prince Edward Island has met the OECD average in all three testing areas,” said Minister Roach. “Receiving the results of the assessment is only the beginning. Moving forward we will analyze the data and work with our various partners in essential skills training. We see this as an opportunity to recognize Islanders’ successes and determine where we need to focus our efforts moving forward.”

A total of 929 Islanders were surveyed in all three testing areas. Survey participants were assessed based on how adults develop and use skills, what benefits they gain from using them, whether they are maintained throughout their lifetime, and how they relate their skills to the labour market and their daily lives. Prince Edward Island participates in PIAAC as it examines the impact of reading, numeracy and problem solving on a range of economic social outcomes, it assesses the performance of education and training systems, workplace practices and social policies, and identifies how to reduce deficiencies in key areas.

“Our world has changed dramatically over the past 10 years, and the knowledge and skills students are required to have are also changing,” said Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Alan McIsaac. ”We continue to work collaboratively with our post-secondary partners to ensure that our students are prepared for future opportunities in post-secondary education, the competitive workforce and the global economy.”

For more information and detailed results of the PIAAC, visit www.cmec.ca.