Local literacy group launches new program to help with G1 training

A free program that drives up literacy skills is now aiming to help people get their G1 license in Waterloo Region.

A long-time partnership between Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada and The Literacy Group WR has started the engines for a new program that helps people better understand driving terminologies before they get their G1.

It aims at helping people around the region become safer drivers by giving them the skills they need to attain their G1 license.

Lisa McArthur, the program manager for The Literacy Group said often people who are newcomers struggle with some of the driving terms Canadians use. Canadians often refer to body parts when driving which adds confusion.

“If you think of the word shoulder, we use the word shoulder to describe a part of your anatomy where your arm attaches to your body, but think about how we use the word shoulder when it comes to driving,” McArthur said.

She added that it’s not just newcomers who struggle with driving terminology.

“If you don’t practice those literacy skills, you lose them over time and so in many cases that’s what we’re looking at with some older adults who are choosing to go back and do some training: using their reading skills for that purpose can be quite difficult sometimes.”

The Literacy Group will test out the program online this summer, starting May 14 and running until June 18.

As part of their partnership with Toyota, McArthur said they have to make the program sustainable. The goal is to keep it running in the future with possible in-person classes.

According to the Literacy Group stats, one in four adults in the region are living with the lowest levels of literacy, numeracy, and digital skills.

“The goal is to get people more comfortable with the terminology first so they can hit the ground running,” McArthur said.

The Literacy Group is hitting their 25 anniversary this year of helping people in the region learn to read and use literacy skills in different areas.

McArthur said literacy skills can be the difference between someone having a job or not.

Anyone wanting more information about the free program about to launch can find it online at www.theliteracygroup.com or call (519) 743-6090.