We are back from our Distributor Conference and so excited about the projects coming our way. Our national distribution network not only sells and administers TOWES assessments, but allows us the opportunity to partner on many exciting initiatives.

Conestoga College is one our network members undertaking an exciting pilot program;  Pathways to Essential Skills Project. Conrad Murphy, TOWES Director, was invited was invited by Sherri Tryon and Conestoga College in Ontario to speak at the project launch. To see the GuelphMercury.com article on the launch check out the link below.

Pathways to Essential Skills

Read to Succeed / Lire pour réussir Project

Working with an internationally recognized team of assessment and literacy experts, with funding provided by

• Human Resources Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)
• The Alberta Association of Colleges and Technical Institutes (AACTI)
• Bow Valley College (BVC)
• Corporate sponsors such as Nexen Inc.

The TOWES Department at Bow Valley College is developing a suite of new products under the Read to Succeed/ Lire pour réussir Project banner.

Each product will be part of a comprehensive online, adult literacy assessment and instructional system, for use in literacy, Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language, French as a Second Language and Essential Skills programs. These products will greatly enhance Bow Valley’s ability to respond to the needs of the literacy community, colleges and other training institutions and employers.
Continue reading…

Our very own Kaesy Russnak (TOWES Project Officer) will be facilitating a training session in Mozambique this October. Kaesy’s expertise in Essential Skills and his experience with facilitator, learner and test administrator training make him the ideal candidate to represent TOWES and BVC in this international development project. Kaesy will be facilitating this workshop alongside Denise Theunissen (BVC-Learner Success Services) and with the support of BVC’s International Education Department. This project is funded by the Canadian International Development Agency  and is part of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges Education for Employment program. Read The Current for more details.

TOWES group photo at MSW Farms in Ponoka courtesy of Tomas Kraus Photography

It was pouring rain and the sky was a very dark, dismal grey. But the TOWES team decided to brave to wet and wind and stick to the original plan. We were heading out on a road trip with determined focus and not even a torrential downpour could stop us…

A challenge had been issued by the committee organizing the Professional Development Day for several of the business units of Bow Valley College. The challenge: show us your team! Judged on originality, creativity and highest group participation, the winning department would receive an undisclosed prize. Well you know us at TOWES: we either GO BIG or GO HOME! Three concepts were proposed and we settled on the one that would make The Big Guy (aka Conrad Murphy) happiest… a Western theme! We hit the highway to take some authentic, down-home TOWES team photos.

Thanks to Mark and Tina Stewart and their beautiful family at MSW Farms, we had the perfect backdrop for our Rhymes with Cows photo shoot. The Stewarts’ Ponoka ranch was ideal with its imposing livestock, the rolling pastures and picturesque trapper’s cabin.

We were also so fortunate to have the inspired and discerning lens of local photographer, Tomas Kraus, at our disposal. He captured all the important moments and many candid shots of our day on the farm.

The day was an incredible opportunity for team building and a chance to step away from the daily grind and have a little fun. And just after we thought nothing could top our Day in the Country… TOWES won first prize for our photo captioned “Rhymes with Cows”.  The prize: delectable cupcakes from Insomnia Coffee Company. It really was the icing on the cake!

Check out just some of the moments on our website: www.towes.com