What:

A wide range of free adult learning programs for employment, independence, and education and training:

• 1 to 1 tutoring and small groups to improve reading, writing, spelling, and basic math
• Pre-employment skills preparation to help learners obtain and keep jobs. Programs include cash register training, food handlers certification, receptionist training, light duty cleaner training, working in retail, communications training & others
• Preparation for high school equivalency
• Northstar Digital Literacy certification and advanced Microsoft computer courses
• Learning assessment, training plan development, short term groups and workshops
• Mobile computer lab to provide computer training offsite
• Information and referral to other programs and services
• Assist adults with learning disabilities
• Wheelchair accessible
• Childcare and transportation subsidy available

Who:

Adults (19+ years)

When:

• Mondays at 9:30am–8:30pm
• Tuesdays at 9:30am–4:30pm
• Wednesdays at 9:30am–4:30pm, 5:30pm–8:30pm
• Thursdays at 9:30am–4:30pm
• Fridays at 9:30am–1:30pm

Where:

Guelph—8 Cork Street East

We also offer remote 1 to 1 tutoring via Zoom

Ask For:

Joanne Morant—Adult Program
(519) 836-2759 (office)
or (519) 731-7829 (work cell)
artutor@on.aibn.com
or actionread@gmail.com

What:

• College Bound: individualized support to explore the possibilities of attending college
• Tuition free courses in Math, English, Biology, Chemistry, Computers
• Targeted academic preparation up to grade 12 equivalency for admission into college post secondary programs including apprenticeship training
• Developing Essential Skills for the workplace
• Preparation for high school equivalency
• Childcare, transportation, and internet subsidy for eligible learners
• Continuous intake, self-paced learning, self-directed with teacher support

Who:

Adults (19+ years) with or without a grade 12 diploma (age exceptions may apply)

Students must have a Canadian Language Benchmark level 6 on all areas (documentation required)

When:

All classes are being delivered online with in person support for select courses. Please connect with our intake team for more details at upgrading@conestogac.on.ca

Self-directed study: Work at your own pace through the materials with an instructor available in class to support you. Students can start anytime as part of our continuous intake

Teacher-led options: An instructor teaches the class with all students starting and ending at the same time. Teacher-led classes are 15 weeks in length and students must attend all classes

Where:

Cambridge—150 Main Street, Suite 402

Guelph—460 Speedvale Avenue West

Waterloo—108 University Avenue East

Ask For:

Information on Academic Upgrading ACE or Preparatory Programs:
upgrading@conestogac.on.ca
or www.conestogac.on.ca/caa/upgrading

What:

• Free upgrading for reading, writing, math, and digital skills
• Upgrading to:
  • earn Ontario High School Equivalency by writing the new CAEC test – the GED replacement
  • prepare for college entrance with or without an OSSD – via upgrading courses
  • prepare for finding work or for making changes at work
• Training plans customized to meet your unique needs
• Learn at your own speed
• Start at any time
• Respectful and encouraging adult environment
• Free bus pass (if eligible)

Who:

Adults (18+ years)

English Speaking and Listening requirement: ESU is not an ESL or LINC program. The level of speaking and listening skills will be determined at assessment, or may involve a Language Assessment. For reference, Speaking and Listening should be roughly equivalent to CLB 6

Some restrictions for people with 900 series SIN

When:

Start any time from September – June (continuous intake)

ESU-Cambridge and ESU-KW
Monday – Thursday at 9:00am–12:00pm
Monday – Thursday at 12:30pm–3:30pm

ESU-Night School
Tuesday and Thursday at 6:00pm–8:30pm

Where:

Morning and Afternoon Classes:

• ESU-Cambridge
  Cambridge—60 McDonald Avenue
• ESU-KW
  Waterloo—151 Weber Street South

Evening Classes:

• ESU-Night School
  Kitchener—72 Wilson Avenue (Kingsdale Community Centre)

Ask For:

Anna Boroznyets, Coordinator
(519) 885-4356 ext. 5224
esu@wrdsb.ca
or online contact form: schools.wrdsb.ca/esu/locations-and-contacts/

What:

• Free learning program for adults with developmental disabilities
• Upgrading of reading, writing, math, and digital skills
• Upgrading to prepare for further training, employment or independence
• Group setting
• Can be customized for individual needs

Who:

Adults (18+ years)

When:

Friday at 9:00am–11:00am

Where:

Waterloo—151 Weber Street South

Ask For:

Anna Boroznyets—Coordinator
(519) 885-4356 ext. 5224
esu@wrdsb.ca
or online contact form: schools.wrdsb.ca/esu/locations-and-contacts/

What:

Learner centred 1 to 1 tutoring & small group instruction in reading, writing, math, computers & workplace essential skills

Programs provided online and in person. Contact us for more information.

Who:

Adults (17+ years)

When:

Cambridge
Monday – Thursday at 9:00am–9:00pm
Friday at 9:00am–4:00pm

Kitchener
Monday – Thursday at 9:00am–9:00pm
Friday at 9:00am–4:00pm

Rural Sites: Phone for times

Where:

Cambridge—40 Ainslie Street South

Kitchener—300 Victoria Street North, Unit 8

Contact us for full site information

Ask For:

Any staff member will be able to assist.
(519) 743-6090
or info@tlgwr.ca
Twitter—@TLGwr
Facebook—@theliteracygroup1
Instagram—@tlgwr

What:

The Literacy Group provides small group, customized modular-based training for clients looking for short-term skills and literacy upgrading. Training topics range from Workplace Soft Skills, Customer Service and POS Cashier Training, Basic Computer Training, Grammar, Writing and more. Contact us for more details or visit our website to find out about our current programs and training opportunities.

Programs provided online and in person. Contact us for more information.

Who:

Adults (17+ years)

When:

Cambridge
Monday – Thursday at 9:00am–9:00pm
Friday at 9:00am–4:00pm

Kitchener
Monday – Thursday at 9:00am–9:00pm
Friday at 9:00am–4:00pm

Rural Sites: Phone for times

Where:

Cambridge—40 Ainslie Street South

Kitchener—300 Victoria Street North, Unit 8

Contact us for full site information

Ask For:

Laurie Mazur, Modular Program Coordinator
laurie@theliteracygroup.com
(519) 743-6090 ext. 325
Twitter—@TLGwr
Facebook—@theliteracygroup1
Instagram—@tlgwr

What:

Educational Assessments:

• identify your skill levels in reading, writing and math
• provide a report that includes details about your current skill levels
• can be used to support Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) applications
• provide a referral to the best local program to meet your goals

Better Jobs Ontario (BJO) Assessments:

• identify your skill levels in each of Canada’s Skills for Success areas
• compare your skill levels now with the skill levels needed for your employment goal
• identify your training needs based on your employment goals
• provide a report that includes a step by step training plan for all of your skills upgrading & training needs
• can be used to support Better Jobs Ontario (BJO) applications
• provide referrals to the best local programs to meet your goals

Services for Businesses & Non-Profit Organizations:

• Clear Writing services
• Bridges out of Poverty training
• Soft Skills Solutions certification training

All business & non-profit services are available for a fee. Contact us for an estimate.

Who:

Adults (18+ years)

When:

• Assessments by appointment
• Business or Non-Profit services upon request

Where:

• Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo
• Assessments available in person or online
• Employment Resource Centres, LBS program sites, or Ontario Works offices

Ask For:

Assessment information, Business or Non-Profit services
(519) 570-3054 or info@projectread.ca

What:

• Skills upgrading in reading, writing, mathematics and digital skills
• Preparing for high school diploma, college or high school equivalency
• Improving Essential Skills for employment
• Individualized learning plans and flexible hours

Who:

Adults (18+ years) who are not currently registered in a high school.

English as a Second Language Learners with speaking, listening, reading and writing skills at a CLB 5

When:

Continuous intake from September – June

Monday – Thursday programming with day and evening times. Call to confirm times.

Where:

Guelph—Wellington Centre for Continuing Education
1428 Gordon Street

Guelph—Tytler Centre for Continuing Education
131 Ontario Street, 3rd Floor

Fergus—Skyline Community Hub
Centre Wellington Big Brothers, 900 Tower Street South

Mount Forest—North Wellington Continuing Education
405-B Sligo Road East

Ask For:

Skills Upgrading Program Manager
skillsupgradingprogram@ugconed.ca
(519) 836-7280 ext. 624

What:

• Grade 11 and 12, Senior Credit Courses in English, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology at the workplace, college and university levels
• Courses are offered on a rotational basis following a 6 week schedule

Who:

Adults (18+ years) who are not currently registered in a high school.

English as a Second Language Learners with speaking, listening, reading and writing skills at a CLB 7

When:

Monday – Friday at 9:00am to 12:00pm (September – June)

6 week sessions with mandatory attendance

Where:

Guelph—Wellington Centre for Continuing Education
1428 Gordon Street

Ask For:

Student Services—(519) 836-7280 ext. 627

What:

• There are 9 ways to earn Secondary School Credits at St. Louis. Up to 60 Secondary school credit courses available for various grade levels
• Guidance Services is the first step to registering for ANY secondary school credit course for upgrading, post-secondary pre-requisites or completing high school diploma (OSSD)
• Day class instruction for Grades 10–12 (Part-time or full-time) offered through in-person, dedicated class times
• Language Credit classes (Gr. 9-12) offered once per week from Sept to June. Six languages to choose from
• Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) for mature students to earn secondary school credits based on previous work and life experience. Earn up to 26 credits through meetings and short tests with Guidance
• Credits@Work—earn co-op credits while working (+20 hour Online or handout component). Every hour worked counts toward each hour needed to complete a secondary school credit. First credit is 90 hours + 20 hours to complete Student Co-op Learning Plan. Each credit afterward is 110 hours
• Correspondence, online, earn credits on your own schedule (20 lessons total at 2 lessons per week). Free student support available for Correspondence students
• No fees for Day Classes, Language Credit classes, PLAR, Summer or Credits@Work. Correspondence requires a $60 fee per course. School-to-Work courses and programs have materials fees

Who:

Adults (18+ years)

Students (16+ years) not attending school full time. For correspondence and Credits@Work options only. Additional fees apply for full-time high school students.

When:

Guidance Services:

• Complete online Guidance Intake Form to arrange Guidance Services
• September – June
• Monday – Friday at 8:30am–4:00pm

Day Class Instruction:

• Kitchener Main Campus only
• September – June
• 5 terms a year (7-week terms) starting Sept, Nov, Jan, March and May, plus Summer School class in July only
• Monday – Friday at 8:45am–11:45am and/or 12:30pm–3:30pm

Language Credit Class Instruction:

• St. Louis Kitchener Main Campus, Resurrection & St. Benedict Catholic Secondary Schools
• September – June
• Monday 5:30pm–9:00pm (Portuguese), Wednesday at 5:30pm–9:00pm (various), Saturday at 9:30am–1:00pm (Chinese)

Correspondence / Self-Directed Study:

• Kitchener Main Campus
• Monday – Thursday (no Fridays)
• Registration and student support booking information may be found on stlouis.wcdsb.ca

Prior Learning and Recognition (PLAR):

• Continuous registration and ongoing programming. See Guidance

Credits@Work:

• Continuous registration and ongoing programming. See Guidance
• Program runs 20 hours online and remainder of time at place of employment

Summer School:

• July 2–28, 2025, Monday – Friday at 8:30am–3:00pm (online or in-person to be determined)

Registration:

• Must complete online Guidance Intake Form (Monday to Friday) to enroll. Transcript or credit counselling summary from last high school required
• Secondary School Credit Day Class registration generally starts 3 weeks before the start of each term. New term every 2 months
• Correspondence, Credits@Work and PLAR registration ongoing during Guidance hours of operation
• Summer School and Language Credit registration begins in February

Where:

St. Louis—Kitchener Main Campus OR local WCDSB secondary school (to be determined)

Ask For:

stlouis@wcdsb.ca or complete Guidance Intake Form found on website

What:

Core Essentials is a FREE Student Success Program helping students get from where they are to where they want to be. Offered in-person, online, or through a supported remote format. Core provides extra support while pursuing academic goals or Digital literacy skills.

Students who take Core Essentials:

• Prepare for next steps such as: Secondary School Credit courses, employment, or volunteer work
• Prepare for PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition) and School-to-Work Skills Training
• Discover academic strengths and any potential areas of growth
• Build confidence in reading, writing, numeracy, digital skills, problem solving, communication, creativity and innovation, collaboration, and study skills
• Prepare a pathway to achieve long-term goals and short-term academic goals

Core Essentials offers:

• Comfortable in-person and online classroom environments
• Flexible daytime hours of study
• Instruction tailored to your goals
• Certified adult instructors who will guide and prepare you, respect your needs and eagerly help you learn
• Support through Independent Remote Learning (if preferred)
• Upgrading to prepare for many credit classes, including English and Math

Who:

Adults (19+ years)

When:

Core Essentials:

• September – June
• In-person classes: Monday – Thursday at 8:45am–11:45am and/or 12:30pm–3:00pm
• Synchronous: Monday – Thursday at 9:15am–11:45am and/or 12:45pm–3:15pm
• Remote: Monday – Thursday at 12:30pm–3:30pm
• Student Support (including Digital Essentials): Monday – Thursday 8:45am–11:45am and Tuesday – Wednesday 11:45am–7:45pm

PSW Essentials (for students wishing to enrol in St. Louis PSW Program):

• September – June
• Supported Remote: Monday – Thursday at 9:15am–4:00pm*
  (* hours may change on PSW intake weeks or during workshops)

Where:

St. Louis—Kitchener Main Campus
80 Young Street (behind Kitchener City Hall)

Ask For:

Core Essentials Program to book an interview with an intake coordinator
(519) 745-1201 ext. 238
or stlouis@wcdsb.ca

What:

• Personal Support Worker Certificate Program (PSW) full-time and part-time programs (Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge)
• Culinary Arts & Hospitality courses or Training Program (Kitchener only)
• Hairstyling & Barber Training Program (Kitchener only)
• All programs offer in-class instruction, experiential hands-on learning, secondary school elective credits and have minimum 220-hour co-op / work placements
• Tuition is paid by Ministry of Education funding, additional non-refundable materials fees may apply ($100 per Culinary course, $2000/yr for Hairstyling/ Barber Training, PSW Certificate training free until March 2026)
  Fees are subject to change

Who:

All School-to-Work programs

Adults (18+ years)

Instructors are Certified Teachers or Registered Nurses (PSW). All have a minimum of 5 years industry experience.

When:

Full-time day, in-class instruction for all programs, class times vary, plus two-month work placement.

Culinary Arts:

• New courses offered every 2 months Monday – Friday at 8:45am–11:45am and/or 12:30pm–3:30pm
• September – June. No classes in summer. Co-op available

Hairstyling & Barbering:

• Full-time, Monday – Friday at 8:45am–3:30pm
• Start dates in September, November and March
• Co-op placement times vary

PSW:

• Full-time Day: Monday – Friday at 8:45am–3:30pm
• Part-time Day: Tuesday – Thursday at 8:45am–3:30pm
• Part-time Evening: Tuesday – Thursday and one Monday per month, at 4:30pm–9:30pm
• Start dates in September, January and February
• Work placement times vary

Registration:
Intake / Registration sessions for Hair & PSW offered throughout the year. See stlouis.wcdsb.ca for details.

Registration for Culinary & Hospitality courses is offered at the same times as Secondary School Credit registration – 5 terms per year. Visit stlouis.wcdsb.ca for upcoming dates and registration processes.

Where:

Culinary, Hair, PSW
St. Louis—Kitchener Main Campus
80 Young Street (behind Kitchener City Hall)

PSW Part-Time Day Program
September only
Follows a “Living Classroom” learning model
St. Louis—Fairview Seniors Community
Cambridge—515 Langs Drive

PSW Full-Time Day Program
September and January
Follows a “Living Classroom” learning model
St. Louis—Parkwood Seniors Community
Waterloo—726-730 New Hampshire Street

Ask For:

Information about the specific program
stlouis@wcdsb.ca or
(519) 745-1201 ext. 201 (Hair/Culinary)
(519) 745-1201 ext. 288 (PSW)

What:

• Digital Literacy
• Preparation for high school equivalency – call for interview and assessment
• Just For Youth after school 1 to 1 tutoring program
• Literacy and numeracy assessments
• Math or reading groups for children 6 to 12 years old
• Let’s Get Real – research and development on education/career options for young adults not in school
• Safe Food Handling
• Financial Literacy
• Smart Serve and Customer Service
• Literacy, numeracy and basic skills, employability skills programming

Who:

Youth (6–24 years)

Adults (18–99 years)

When:

• Call the Learning Centre for dates and times of programs
• Office Hours: Monday – Thursday at 9:00am–4:00pm
• Friday at 9:00am–12:00pm via appointment

Where:

Arthur—148 George Street

Transportation can be arranged for those who require to and from the office in Arthur.

Ask For:

Stephanie Roeder
(519) 848-3462 or literacy@thewclc.ca