This resource was first developed by QUILL in 2012 in partnership with practitioners and learning networks across the province.  In 2024, QUILL began reviewing and updating approximately 500 existing tasks, creating 200 new tasks, and developing a new website with improved features that will allow Get SET practitioners to easily locate the tasks they need.

Users will be able to filter tasks by Goal Path, Competency and Task group, or search by keyword.  Practitioners can also view an alphabetized up-to-date inventory of all tasks on the portal.

Several task bundles have been created for each goal path.  These are collections of 8-10 tasks that focus on a common theme.  This will enable practitioners to quickly scan several tasks on a shared topic.  While the tasks in each bundle are thematically related, tasks typically represent a variety of competencies and levels.  Not every task in each bundle will be applicable to every learner.

All tasks are available in Word and PDF versions, with fillable PDFs where possible.  Some tasks have Google Form options that will enable practitioners to send and receive forms to learners, and save responses in Google Drive.  The new website includes detailed instructions and videos about using Google Forms for those who may be unfamiliar with this format.

Moving forward, the content of every task will be updated on a multi-year cycle; all digital tasks and those referencing online material will be reviewed annually for broken links.

QUILL will continue to replace or add at least 50 tasks each year to ensure this resource is current and meets the needs of both practitioners and learners.  We invite practitioners to share ideas for new tasks and feedback about the website through the survey link available at the bottom of each page of the website: https://taskbasedactivities.ca/contact-us/

Join us for a Lunch’n’Learn on September 28 from 12pm-12:45pm to learn more about this resource and its recent updates.  For those unable to attend, a recording will be posted on the Task-Based Activities site as well as the QUILL website.  Contact Peggy Hulley, Executive Director to access the Lunch’n’Learn.

For years, our old name did not match our work.
• “Literacy” made people think only of reading. Reading is part of what we teach, but it is just one small piece.
• “Basic Skills” made people think of a program for those with limited skills.

At Get SET, our learners build skills to reach their goals, like college, jobs, apprenticeships, or a high school diploma. We teach reading, writing, communication, digital skills, and so much more. We also teach math, from home budgeting to science and chemistry. These skills help people succeed in college and apprenticeships. We also help you become more independent with online forms, medical records, and government paperwork.

In the past, you might have heard, “There’s a program called Literacy and Basic Skills you might like.” Often, people would respond, “No thanks, I can already read.”
Now, you can say, “There’s a program called Get Skills Education and Training you might like.” This small change leads to better conversations. Potential learners are now more likely to ask:
• Will this help me get the job I want?
• Will this prepare me for college or my grade 12 diploma?
• Will this teach me computer skills for forms and online services?

Please join us in celebrating this change and spreading the word. We still offer the same great programs through our college, school board, and community-based partners. What has changed is how we describe what we do.

Get SET.  An improved name.  The same support you can rely on.

Find a Get SET program in your area.

Please join us in welcoming our new Executive Director, Peggy Hulley, who begins her term as QUILL’s Executive Director beginning April 1. She takes over the reins from Heather Robinet, who is easing into a well-deserved retirement. You’ll still be hearing from Heather as she has stepped back from the spotlight into a support and training role.

After a thoughtful search, we could not be more confident in the person stepping into this role. Peggy brings over a decade of experience in administering Employment Ontario programs, most recently as an Employment Services Manager in Huron County with the Avon Maitland District School Board and before that as a Literacy Practitioner and Computer Tutor. She brings with her a deep commitment to equity, a track record of building strong community partnerships, and a genuine passion for the kind of transformative learning that QUILL has always championed.

Heather shares that it has been the honor of her career to lead this organization, and as she transitions to semi-retirement, she does so knowing that QUILL’s mission, its people, and its future are in exceptional hands.

You can reach out to Peggy at execdir.quill@gmail.com

“Literacy is the bedrock of a thriving society and a robust economy. In Ontario, 49% of our adult population scores below high-school literacy levels, with 17% at the lowest level,” states LNO Spokesperson Summer Burton. “This isn’t just an individual struggle; it’s a provincial challenge that impacts our workforce, our economy, our health, and our civic engagement. The time for urgent, decisive action is now.”

The Economic Imperative: Investing in adult literacy programs delivers exceptional economic returns for Ontario. Research indicates that a one percent increase in average adult literacy skills can lead to a three percent increase in GDP. For Canada, this could mean an annual GDP increase of up to $95 billion, or approximately $2,300 more in the pockets of each Canadian. Applied provincially, Ontario could see proportional gains of approximately $25-30 billion annually from systematic literacy improvements.

Moreover, improved literacy directly enhances workforce productivity. A one percent gain in literacy can boost productivity by up to five percent. Currently, over 40% of Canada’s workforce lacks the Level 3 literacy skills required for 96% of modern jobs, contributing to an estimated $32 billion in annual productivity losses for Canada. The return on investment is clear: every dollar invested in adult literacy programs returns $7.41 to society, with workplace literacy training generating a 23% return on investment in the first year alone for employers.

A More Resilient Workforce and Healthier Communities: Beyond economic gains, higher literacy fosters a more resilient and adaptable workforce, leading to higher earning potential and greater job stability. It also correlates with improved health outcomes, civic engagement, and reduced social costs. Adults with higher literacy are better equipped to follow medication instructions, comply with medical direction, and observe health and safety measures in the workplace. Low literacy disproportionately affects newcomer, Indigenous, and low-income populations, making literacy investment a critical step towards a more equitable and inclusive Ontario.

Addressing the Funding Gap: Despite these profound benefits, Ontario’s adult literacy and basic skills (LBS) programs have faced flat funding, representing a significant missed economic opportunity. Short-term, project-based funding cycles create administrative burdens, organizational instability, staff turnover, and ultimately deliver less value for money. QUILL urges the provincial government to transition to multi-year, inflation-indexed core funding for LBS programs to ensure stability, maximize impact, and foster innovation.

Call to Action for All Ontarians: The evidence is unequivocal: Ontario cannot afford not to invest in adult literacy. On this International Literacy Day, we call on all residents of Ontario to:

• Visit quillnetwork.com to learn more about the vital work of literacy programs and how you can support them.
• Visit LNO’s “Funding Impact Dashboard” to learn more about the Economic Returns of investment into the LBS system (learningnetworks.ca/impact-dashboard)
• Contact your Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) and urge them to prioritize and increase sustained, inflation-indexed funding for adult literacy programs as a crucial investment in Ontario’s future.

About Literacy Networks of Ontario (LNO): LNO is a coalition of organizations dedicated to promoting and supporting adult literacy and basic skills development across the province. LNO believes that literacy is a fundamental right and a powerful catalyst for individual empowerment, economic prosperity, and social cohesion.

Are you wondering whether upgrading your skills would help you find, keep or advance in your job? This includes apprenticeships as well.

Our Skills Review tool is an easy place to start. It is free, it is confidential, and it is self-serve. Only you will know the results (unless you decide to share them). It’s not a formal test, but a way to understand your current skills. It will help you decide if upgrading will help you reach your goals.

The Skills Review includes all nine skills employers say they are looking for when hiring. These nine skills are called Skills for Success. They include:

• Communication
• Reading
• Writing
• Math
• Digital Skills (computers and technology)
• Adaptability
• Collaboration
• Problem Solving
• Creativity and Innovation

 Are you thinking about school or training?

Are you thinking about finishing high school, taking a training program or going to college?
If yes, a Skills Review will highlight areas you may want to refresh before you jump into training.

Are you a counsellor with clients who might need skills upgrading?

If you are helping someone to make career or training decisions, including Better Jobs Ontario, you may want to suggest a Skills Review first. This will highlight any area they may want to refresh before taking their next steps.

What do you do with the results of a Skills Review?

A Skills Review shows both strengths and areas you may want to develop.

You can use the results to:

• Think about whether upgrading is needed to reach your goals.
• Focus only on the skills that matter to the job or training you are considering.
• Start a conversation with a trainer or employment counsellor about the upgrading programs available in your community.

 Let’s Get Started:

• Visit the Skills Reviewpage
• Select one of the skills to review
• Answer the questions
• Print or save your results
• Complete any of the other skills to review – you can do them all
• Discuss your results with an employment counsellor, caseworker or contact one of our training organizationsto talk about your options

Remember: All programs listed on the QUILL website are free. You can start with them anytime. They will customize what you learn to your specific goals and needs.

Find a program in your area or contact us for more information.