Cambridge MPP Rob Leone and PC critic for Education is introducing legislation that will reward employers, educate employees and make a firm commitment to lifelong learning in the province’s work force.

Under the Promoting Educational Success Act brought forward today, businesses will receive a 25% tax credit towards the cost of an employee’s completion of their high school education or equivalent. Leone expects overwhelming support for the idea, one he says has been long called for by business.

“Large and small businesses alike want an educated workforce,” said the Cambridge MPP. “They want to help employees improve themselves and thus improve the way their businesses are run.”

The idea was first presented in the PC Caucus White Paper Paths to Prosperity: High Learning for Better Jobs, and has received praise from local leaders such as MW Canada and Project Read.

For Leone, the bill charts an important course for the province by not only making sure that our current work force is educated, but that future generations are raised in an educationally stimulating environment.

“Not only do studies show that for every percentage point improvement in worker literacy, productivity increases by 2.5%, this bill will also benefit future generations,” continued Leone. “Children brought up in a household where their parents have completed high school are far more likely to understand the value of education, and are more likely to succeed.”

The PC Education critic has been critical of Liberal policies, including the $8.5 billion per year the government has spent on education since 2003, with 250,000 fewer students. Leone says this legislation, designed to be revenue neutral, makes both an immediate and long term impact at a minimal cost.

“Businesses need to invest in people to help them succeed,” concluded Leone. “Forty-eight percent of adults have inadequate literacy skills to perform their jobs, and many of them have not completed their high school education. We want to make it easier for employers, employees and future generations to get the most out of their education.”