The purpose of the present study is to examine the utilization of various types of literacies, namely, basic, functional, cultural and economic literacy skills as perceived by the graduates of a pre-employment training program (PETP) who wish to play an active role in society. The specific research questions asked in this study are: what differences are there between basic literacy, functional literacy, cultural literacy and economic literacy and how does each affect the individuals movement in the real world of social integration and economic viability? What kinds of bridging processes and/or materials might be important in enabling socially-marginalized adults to move from basic literacy acquisition to economic independence? How are these processes and/or materials manifested in a literacy program operated through a pre-employment training program? What kinds of parallels are there, if any between the South Asian and the Canadian experience in linking basic literacy to community economic development?Case study research methods were employed and a total of 20 pre-employment training participants, who are all ex-convicts, were interviewed. Interview results show that in the case of every participant, basic and/or functional literacy skills were utilized in their previous workplace to some extent, indicating that basic literacy skills were necessary pre-requisites in a wide variety of occupations. Finding also suggest that cultural literacy and economic literacies involving critical thinking need to play a more prominent part in pre-employment training programs.Comparative findings based on the perception of the training participants, and parallel information drawn from a South Asian context indicate the necessity for institutional support for the socio-economic and occupational integration of the poor. Participants showed a keen interest in furthering their skills by taking additional training and educational programs. All participants felt that the original pre-employment training program was a turning point in their lives giving them increased self-esteem, increased confidence and new prospects for continuing education.Further applied research is needed to investigate in what ways and to what extent institutional support can be provided to achieve a sustainable effect in socio-economic and occupational integration.