by Maria Driscoll

The East Prince Centre for Learning and Work, located in the former Lo Food building on Water Street in Summerside, celebrated its official opening today. The Centre has been designed as a one stop shop for adult Islanders looking to enhance and further develop their learning needs.

MLA for St. Eleanors-Summerside, Helen MacDonald and Summerside Mayor Basil Stewart congratulated Holland College, East Prince Health, East Prince Youth Development Centre, Laubach Literacy and Workplace Education PEI partners for working together to establish this unique adult learning environment where all of their programs and services are now offered under one roof.

"It is important to provide Islanders with access to learning opportunities so they can compete better in today?s ever advancing work culture," said MLA Helen MacDonald on behalf of Education Minister Mildred Dover. "The Government of Prince Edward Island is delighted to see the Literacy/Adult Basic Education Program and the services of Workplace Education PEI co-located in an easily accessible facility with other partners committed to lifelong learning opportunities for adult Islanders."

"On behalf of City Council, we are very pleased to see the establishment of this educational facility in downtown Summerside," said Summerside Mayor Basil Stewart.

The building will be home to the adult upgrading programs, the East Prince Youth Development Centre Programs, and the Prior Learning Assessment Services through Workplace Education PEI plus many more adult lifelong learning opportunities.

"We are delighted that this new Centre for Learning and Work puts so many programs and services under one roof," stated Jake Baird, Director of Adult and Community Education at Holland College. "With all of the partners now located at the Centre, it is also a great chance for us to work together to develop new initiates and opportunities for Islanders."