Learning Ontario Central South
Since 1996 we have been known as Literacy Ontario Central South, LOCS for short. In 2024 we changed our name to Learning Ontario Central South. We changed the word Literacy to Learning to better reflect what we do.
In the literacy field we recognize that the word “Literacy” is often misunderstood. Many assume that we only help people who want to learn to read. In the past, the word literacy has limited our ability to reach those who needed us the most, including people who want to gain the skills they need to succeed at work, learning and life.
In fact, literacy programs support people who want to:
- find and keep work
- be successful in an apprenticeship
- complete their grade 12
- prepare for a college program
- live independently in their community
We support people in gaining the skills they need to reach their goals by designing customized training programs.
For example, people in our programs gain skills:
- for work, such as computers, customer service, Point of Sale, money math and soft skills
- to successfully complete testing, such as Smart Serve, Safe Food Handling, Canadian Forces Aptitude Test (CFAT) and driver’s licence
- to complete ACE for college or PLAR for Grade 12
- to enter or stay in an apprenticeship
- in managing their personal lives including budgeting and digital skills
We are funded by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD). As part of the MLITSD, we are a key part of Ontario’s employment and training and adult education system. We are the starting place in the training and skills development component, and we play a critical role in supporting the labour market. We provide people with customized training to prepare them to make the transition to their next steps. LOCS is one of 16 organizations in Ontario that make up the Learning Networks of Ontario.
The MLITSD defines Literacy as:
“The ability of individuals to apply communication, numeracy, and digital skills to find, use, create and think critically about information and ideas. Literacy involves a continuum of learning that enables individuals to achieve their goals, solve problems, make decisions, participate fully in our increasingly diverse and technological society, and contribute to the innovation economy.”
We hope that our new name Learning Ontario Central South makes it clear that we are here to support learning, including reading, writing, math, digital skills, science and communication.
Contact us any time to learn more about the programs available in City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Hastings, Northumberland and Peterborough.
