Essential SkillsEssential Skills

WorkshopWorkshop

Learning OutcomesLearning Outcomes To understand what is meant by ‘Essential

Skills’ and why they are important

To learn where you can go to assess your level of Essential Skills

To be aware of the importance of continuing to develop your Essential Skills

What are Skills?What are Skills?

Activities that you know how to do well

Gained through… Education Training Life experience

What are my Skills?What are my Skills?

Brainstorming Activity:

List as many skills as you can in 2 minutes

Skills categories…Skills categories…Personal Management

● time ● organizational ● Facebook

Specialized● forklift certificate

Transferable ● skills you can transfer from one job to another

Essential● needed for work, life and learning

Brainstorming Activity

List the Essential Ingredients

needed to Make a Cake

Essential Skills areEssential Skills are…… Skills that employers expect in their

employees Skills that lead to success in the

workplace They provide the foundation for

learning all other skills Used throughout daily life in

different forms and at different levels of difficulty

There are There are NINENINE Essential Essential SkillsSkills

Reading Text Document Use Numeracy Writing Oral Communication

Working with others Thinking Skills Computer Use Continuous Learning

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/essential_skills/general/home.shtml

EssentialSkill

Workplace Example

Life Examples

Reading TextUnderstanding materials written in sentences or paragraphs

A Sales Representative needs to read manuals for product descriptions & knowledge

Reading and understanding a lease agreement for renting an apartmentReading magazines and newspapers You are using this skill right now

EssentialSkill

Workplace Example

Life Examples

Document UseUsing and understanding labels, graphs, charts, tables, signs and other similar materials

A Tour Guide consults bus and ferry schedules, and reads luggage tags & street signs

Filling out a job application This slide is a document Finding out the temperature by reading a thermometer

EssentialSkill

Workplace Example

Life Examples

Numeracy Using and understanding numbers and money

A Cashier uses money math to calculate change for the customer

Measuring ingredients for a recipe Calculating tip for food serviceScheduling time and budgeting money

EssentialSkill

Workplace Example

Life Examples

WritingWriting text or typing on a computer

A Security Guard writes incident reports and memos to supervisors

Creating a shopping list Writing a resume or cover letterPreparing an e-mail

EssentialSkill

Workplace Examples

Life Examples

Oral CommunicationUsing speech to share thoughts and information

A Nurse talks with other health professionals to exchange information on patients’ treatment plans

Explaining a medical problem to your DoctorComforting others Asking for directions

EssentialSkill

Workplace Example

Life Examples

Working with OthersInteracting with others to complete tasks

On a construction site many different tradesmen have to work together to complete a project

Helping a friend move into a new apartmentParticipating on a sports teamCoordinating a party

EssentialSkill

Workplace Example

Life Examples

ThinkingReviewing information to make decisions

A Daycare Teacher (Early Childhood Educator) must decide if a parent should be called when a child appears ill

Critical thinking when confronted with an emergencyUsing your memory to recall informationResearching on the computer

EssentialSkill

Workplace Example

Life Examples

Computer UseUsing different kinds of computer applications and other related technical tools

Food Servers enter customer’s food order into a computerized cash register

Withdrawing or depositing money at an automatic teller machine (ATM)Sending e-mails with attachments to multiple usersFaxing your resume

EssentialSkill

Workplace Example

Life Examples

Continuous LearningParticipating in an ongoing process of acquiring skills and knowledge

A Construction Worker takes a one-day first aid course

Attending a job search program Learning new skills from co-workersUpgrading academic subjects to receive your GED (General Educational Development)

Break TimeLet’s take a 10 minute break…….

ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR…

LIFELIFE

http://jlang.com/essential_skills/rent.html

ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR…ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR…

WORKWORK

Essential Skills are linked to job postings, employment, and career planning

Essential Skills In...Essential Skills In...

JOB POSTINGSJOB POSTINGS

Essential Skills In…Essential Skills In…

Career PlanningCareer Planning

Let’s visit the Ontario Skills Passport Let’s visit the Ontario Skills Passport Website…Website…

ESSENTIAL SKILLS LEVELS…ESSENTIAL SKILLS LEVELS…

Levels of Essential Skills refers to how difficult the tasks are

Complexity levels range from 1 (very basic) to 5 (most advanced)

For Example…For Example… Level One: Sift through the deck of cards and

find an Ace Level Two: Find all the Aces in deck of cards Level Three: Arrange all the cards from lowest to

highest, in their own suits Level Four: Pull out the cards needed to give you

the highest poker hand Level Five: Using your knowledge of how card

games are played, create your own game

Examples of tasks and theircomplexity levels

Computer Use • use computer applications, such as specialized software to issue tickets.

(level 1) • use communications software. For example, communicate with co-workers

by e-mail. (level 2) • use a database. For example, find and record information, book flights and

process cargo loads. Booking flights requires co-coordinating connecting flights, seat availability and fare structures. (level 3)

Oral Communication • interact with customers to respond to ticket requests, answer questions,

exchange information or discuss flight or shipping options. (level 1) • make boarding announcements, in both official languages. (level 1) • attend staff meetings to discuss how to improve work processes. (level 2) • exchange information and co-ordinate work with supervisors and coworkers.

(level 2)

ESSENTIAL SKILLS…ESSENTIAL SKILLS…

ASSESSMENTSASSESSMENTS

How do you measure your Essential Skills level?How do you measure your Essential Skills level?

Test of Workplace Essential Test of Workplace Essential SkillsSkills

• Reading text Reading text

• Document use Document use

• Numeracy Numeracy

Using authentic workplace documentsUsing authentic workplace documents

A GREAT PRACTICE SITE IS…A GREAT PRACTICE SITE IS…

Measure Up WebsiteMeasure Up Website

http://measureup.towes.com/ http://measureup.towes.com/

For on-line assessments you can go to…

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/LES/tools_resources/tools_audience/general/online_indicator.shtml

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/LES/tools_resources/learning.shtml

Slow down your speech and pronounce words clearly and correctly.

Vary your pitch, tone and volume to emphasize key words or sentences.

Record yourself speaking and then listen to the recording to analyze your pitch, tone, speed and volume.

Oral Communication TipsOral Communication Tips

Essential Skills Video Resources

The Sto:Lo Nation Human Resources Development Website

http://www.saset.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=122&Itemid=155

www.myerc.ca

WHAT ESSENTIAL SKILLS DID YOU USE IN THIS WORKSHOP TODAY?

This project was made possible through funding from the Government of Canada.