Tools, Assessments, and Training Support
Tools
A series of tools have been developed to help individuals and organizations address workplace essential skills challenges.
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Order the tools
Order by mail or fax:
Publications/Distribution Unit
HRSDC Communications Branch
140 Promenade du Portage
Place du Portage, Phase IV, Level 10
Gatineau, Québec
K1A 0J9
Fax: (819) 953-7260
Empty essential skills kit folders are also available to help you package the tools and resources that you order. These are available in general (WP-032) and apprenticeship (WP-139) formats. To order online, enter the WP number in the “Departmental Catalogue Number” search field before you check out.
The tools have been organized into three steps to facilitate the improvement of essential skills.
Use these tools to:
- learn about essential skills and how they contribute to getting and keeping a job and being successful at work;
- communicate the importance of essential skills; and
- understand how essential skills are used in the trades.
- Essential Skills Success Stories
Description
A collection of real stories about Canadians who have experienced success in work and life after improving their essential skills. Told from the learner’s point of view, these stories can help inspire others to deal with their own essential skills challenges.
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Building Essential Skills in the Workplace
Description
A set of case studies that offers examples of how to develop essential skills in the workplace. The case studies provide an overview of the benefits, outcomes and impacts of essential skills training.
- What are Essential Skills?
Description
A fact sheet that explains the nine essential skills that people need for work, learning and life. It includes examples of how essential skills are used in the community and the workplace.
- Literacy and Essential Skills Toolkit - Postcard
Description
A short reference sheet that explains the essential skills for the skilled trades tools as well as how to use and order them.
- Essential Skills Tools for the Skilled Trades - Postcard
Description
A short reference sheet that explains the essential skills for the skilled trades tools as well as how to use and order them.
- What are Essential Skills for the Trades?
Description
A fact sheet that outlines how the nine essential skills are used in the trades. It includes definitions, common tasks and examples of how each skill is used in various trades.
- Essential Skills for Success in the Trades:
Description
This resource provides sample tasks that demonstrate how each of the nine essential skills is used in specific trades. It is currently available for the following 15 trades.
- Essential Skills for Success as an Automotive Service Technician
- Essential Skills for Success as a Carpenter
- Essential Skills for Success as a Construction Electrician
- Essential Skills for Success as a Cook
- Essential Skills for Success as a Hairstylist
- Essential Skills for Success as an Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)
- Essential Skills for Success as a Machinist
- Essential Skills for Success as a Plumber
- Essential Skills for Success as a Sheet Metal Worker
- Essential Skills for Success as a Welder
- Essential Skills for Success as an Ironworker
- Essential Skills for Success as an Industrial Electrician
- Essential Skills for Success as a Truck and Transport Mechanic
- Essential Skills for Success as a Steamfitter-Pipefitter
- Essential Skills for Success as a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
- On the Job Stories:
Description
A resource that describes a typical workday for a tradesperson and provides practical activities that use essential skills. This tool is currently available for the following 10 trades:
- Using Essential Skills: On the Job with a Plumber
- Using Essential Skills: On the Job with an Automotive Service Technician
- Using Essential Skills: On the Job with a Carpenter
- Using Essential Skills: On the Job with a Cook
- Using Essential Skills: On the Job with an Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)
- Using Essential Skills: On the Job with a Hairstylist
- Using Essential Skills: On the Job with a Machinist
- Using Essential Skills: On the Job with a Sheet Metal Worker
- Using Essential Skills: On the Job with a Construction Electrician
- Using Essential Skills: On the Job with a Welder
- Essential Skills Poster
Description
A poster to communicate how essential skills contribute to job success. It lists the nine essential skills and provides the web address for accessing additional information, including the tools.
- Essential Skills in the Workplace: What's in it for you?
Description
A fact sheet for employers that describes the many benefits of investing in essential skills.
Use these tools to:
- better understand essential skills needed for the workplace;
- help identify essential skills strengths and areas to consider for improvement;
- ensure workers have the essential skills to get the job done; and
- inform training and career decisions.
Note: these tools are not formal essential skills assessments.
- Online Indicators and Checklists
Description
Informal assessment that asks learners to solve questions to get an indication of their essential skills ability.
- Workplace Survey
Description
A questionnaire to help employers identify potential essential skills issues and/or areas of strength in the workplace.
- Workplace Check-Up
Description
A guide and checklist to help employers gather information from their workers about essential skills needs within an organization.
- Hiring Checklist
Description
An interview guide and template to help employers collect information about the essential skills of job candidates. It can help employers find new workers who can complement the skills of their existing teams.
- Indicators:
Description
A guide and informal assessment that asks learners to solve questions to get an indication of their essential skills ability. Indicators are available for the following essential skills:
- Organizational Needs Assessment
Description
A guide and checklist that helps employers determine whether essential skills gaps are affecting their organization’s performance.
- Self-Assessments:
Description
These informal assessments guide learners through a series of statements to help them identify their essential skills strengths and areas for improvement. Self-assessments are available for each of the nine essential skills:
- Essential Skills Self-Assessment for the Trades
Description
A checklist to help identify essential skills strengths and areas for improvement. It includes statements that describe common trades-related tasks for the nine essential skills.
- Essential Skills Workbook for the Trades
Description
A workbook with practical exercises to help learners practice their reading, writing, numeracy and document use skills. A full answer guide is included to help learners understand the steps to reach the right answer.
Use these tools to:
- support essential skills upgrading;
- integrate essential skills into the workplace; and
- enhance existing training programs.
- Developing Partnerships to support Literacy and Essential Skills (online only)
Description
An online resource containing tips and activities to help employers develop effective partnerships to support essential skills in the workplace.
- Training Activities
Description
A reference sheet that outlines a series of suggested activities to help employers incorporate essential skills upgrading into workplace training.
- Portfolio
Description
A collection of binder inserts to keep a record of knowledge gained and skills developed through essential skills training and learning activities. Use it to build a collection of learning materials (e.g. tips sheets, practice exercises) and samples from on-the-job experiences (e.g. email, time sheet, a safety information sheet).
- Passport
Description
A tracking resource that lets learners record their skill strengths and identify areas that may need improvement. It is intended to be updated and reviewed regularly.
- Taking Action: A Guide
Description
A guide that introduces a 7-step process for developing and integrating essential skills training in the workplace.
- Taking Action: An Introduction
Description
A condensed version of Taking Action: A Guide. - Problem Solved! A Guide for Employers and Practitioners
Description
A guide that includes various techniques, activities and worksheets to help learners practice and improve their thinking skills. This version for employers and practitioners provides instructions for how to integrate this tool into training and development programs.
- Problem Solved! A Guide for Employees and Learners
Description
A guide that includes various techniques, activities and worksheets to help learners practice and improve their thinking skills.
- Tip Sheets and Practice and Learning Exercises:
Description
A booklet that provides learners with practical tips and activities to improve their essential skills. This tool is available for the following essential skills:
- Job Enhancement and Essential Skills
Description
A guide to help managers and supervisors support workers in improving their essential skills by giving them new responsibilities and opportunities for development.
- Mentoring and Essential Skills
Description
A guide with tips and activities to support essential skills development in the workplace through mentoring relationships.
- Vocabulary Building Workbook
Description
A workbook with various exercises to help learners improve their vocabulary and learn words commonly used in the Canadian workplace.
- Communications Essentials - A Modular Workshop
Description
A collection of resources to help intermediaries effectively deliver a customized workshop. It includes information and exercises to help individuals practice and strengthen their oral communication skills.
- Essential Skills for Your Apprenticeship Training
Description
A booklet that includes tips and tricks to help apprentices prepare for in-class training, take effective notes and understand and remember lessons.
- Using Essential Skills: Preparing for Your Interprovincial Red Seal Exam
Description
This guide provides learners with tips and tricks to study and prepare for the Interprovincial Red Seal Exam.
- Before Training: Resources to Improve Your Essential Skills
Description
This booklet includes tips and activities that help apprentices identify ways to improve their essential skills and be better prepared for training.
- Trades Math Workbook
Description
A workbook with practical exercises to help learners practice their numeracy skills and increase their success in an apprenticeship program.
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