The Canadian Adult Education Credential has replaced the GED as the high school equivalency test in Canada. Our qualified instructors will help prepare you to write the tests. Subjects include:

• Reading
• Writing
• Math
• Science
• Social Studies

Contact us or visit the CAEC official site for more information. 

• Ongoing enrollment from September to June
• Learn at your own pace
• Flexible scheduling

ACALA's E3 (Education, Essential Skills, and Empowerment) programs help learners improve many of the skills required for learning, work, and life.

In addition to literacy (reading, writing, and communication), numeracy (math), and other academic subjects (science and social studies), we support the following Skills for Success: 

• Creativity
• Problem Solving
• Collaboration
• Adaptability

These non-certificate programs offer small class sizes, flexibility, and individual goal setting whether you want to improve one skill for personal reasons, further your education, enter the workforce, or prepare for NSCC where you can earn your High School Graduation Diploma for Adults.

ACALA's Essential Skills for Pre-Employment programs offer upgrading to prepare learners for entry into employment or post-secondary education.

These programs are eight to twelve weeks in length and are offered throughout the year.

For 2024-2025 we offered:

• Event Planning and Promotions
• Invest in Yourself (Introduction to Entrepreneurship)
• Bright Beginnings (Skills for Childcare)

Learners will improve workplace skills such as:

• Employment preparation
• Communication and numeracy
• Digital technology
• Confidence
• Teamwork

To find out what will be offered in the 2025/26 year, follow our Facebook page or sign up for our monthly newsletter!

Basic Digital Literacy covers a broad range of computer skills with a concentration on Windows 10/11 and ChromeOS. Whether you're a complete beginner or just looking to freshen up your skills, this course will help you build a strong foundation to make technology work for you. Skills include:

• Technical Proficiency - learn to navigate a computer, mouse/keyboard skills, use various software, understand settings and more
• Information Literacy - search the internet to find and use information, identify misinformation, and understand sources
• Communication and Collaboration - use digital tools to communicate, share ideas, or work with a team, digital etiquette and how to use the internet safely

These programs run twice a year, starting in September and January. Classes are one day a week for about four months.

Six-week workshop programs are also available throughout the year and include more centralized topics like:

• Intro to iPhone/iPad or Android
• Internet Safety
• MS Office Suite
• and more!

Follow our Facebook Page or sign up for our newsletter to find out when these programs start!

Life skills are essential abilities that help individuals navigate everyday challenges and make informed decisions. Here at ACALA, we offer our Living It Up program, where learners can practice these skills to help with personal growth, improve relationships, and enhance their overall quality of life. We run short-term modules on various topics which can include:

• money management
• smart shopping
• cooking/baking
• emergency preparedness
• and more

Follow our Facebook page or sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date with these programs.

Happening monthly, our Lunch & Learns provide a platform for people and organizations in our community to share, discuss, and educate about various topics. Lunch is on us!

Previous Lunch & Learn topics include:

• Community safety
• Mental health awareness
• Cultural inclusion
• Social program awareness
• Holiday budgeting
• History of Antigonish
• African-Nova Scotian heritage
• and more!

Sign up for our newsletter or join our Facebook page to stay informed about future Lunch & Learns.

Contact us if you are interested in presenting at a Lunch & Learn.

Throughout the year, ACALA hosts a variety of afternoon workshops where community can come together and learn skills in a fun, engaging environment.

Previous workshop sessions include:

• Acrylic painting
• Pop-up cards
• Baking
• Flower arranging

Follow our Facebook page or sign up for our newsletter to see upcoming workshops.

This program is designed to encourage family literacy in families with young children to promote reading, writing, and comprehension. Families attend in person sessions, where they read a story together, have discussions, and engage in planned activities. Children receive a copy of the book along with activity packages to take home where they can continue building on their literacy skills.

The theme for 2024-2025 is, "I'm Going to Like Me." The books will focus on self-empowerment, self-esteem, and mental wellness. Children will learn how to understand neurodiversity, empathy, and embrace others' uniqueness.