A new name that finally reflects what we do!

This is an announcement we’ve been waiting for.

The Employment Ontario program formerly known as Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) is now called Get SET — Skills Education and Training. And honestly? It’s a game changer.

For years, we’ve had to explain that our program name didn’t truly match the work we do. The term Basic Skills was meant to describe soft skills, but it often sounded like a program for people with limited skills. Literacy suggested learning to read—and while reading is certainly part of our programs, it’s only one piece of a much bigger list of training options.

Our learners come to us to build skills they need to reach their goals.

Those goals are often college, work, apprenticeships or a grade 12 diploma.

We help learners gain reading, writing, communication and digital skills to prepare for college, work, apprenticeships and high school completion. We offer math that ranges from home budgeting to the science, biology, and chemistry, the very skills needed for college programs and apprenticeship success. In short, our programs are about education, training, and preparation for what comes next.

And don’t forget about clients who want to be more independent in the community with things like managing online applications, social service apps, medical charts, and government applications and reporting.

With Get SET, we finally have a name that clearly communicates our purpose—especially for our learners and community partners.

In the past, when a partner told a client, “There’s a program you might be interested in called Literacy and Basic Skills,” the response was often, “No thank you, I can read.”

Now, our community partners can say:

“There’s a program you might be interested in called Get Skills Education and Training”

That simple change opens the door to better conversations about how clients might reach their work, apprenticeship, secondary, post-secondary or independence goals.

Clients are more likely to ask:

• Will this program help me get the skills I need to get the job I want?
• How will this program prepare me for the college or getting my grade 12?
• Will this program help me get the computer skills I need to filling out forms or using online services?

So join us in celebrating—and spreading the word.

We’re still offering the same high-quality programs and services through our College, School Board, and Community-Based programs. What’s changed is how we talk about them—and how clearly people can see the value.

Get SET. A better name. A clearer message. The same great support.

Contact a Get SET program in your area.