For a more detailed description of this study and what it aims to explore, please read our new project brochure in PDF or full-text template formats.

Background:

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) in collaboration with other national and international agencies have identified and validated nine Essential Skills as the

“…skills needed for work, learning and life. They provide the foundation for learning all other skills and enable people to evolve with their jobs and adapt to workplace change.”

Reading Text	Document Use	Numeracy
Writing	Oral Communications	Working with Others
Continuous Learning	Thinking Skills	Computer Use

Explore some detailed examples of Essential Skills Analyses currently documented for select Red Seal Trades.

CAF-FCA Findings:

Findings from Accessing and Completing Apprenticeship Training in Canada - Perceptions of Barriers Report (2004) highlighted Essential Skills as a barrier to individuals’ ability to access and complete apprenticeship training. Low levels of literacy and mathematics were of particular concern. The changing world of work, including the increase in new technologies, the increase in job complexity and the shift in demand for workers with higher skills in communication, literacy and problem solving, has placed a tremendous level of importance on Essential Skills.

Consultations to date have reinforced the notion that while Essential Skills are important, it is unclear as to the degree and extent to which they are significant barriers or predictors of success/ failure in the context of apprenticeship. An Essential Skills Project Steering Committee with representation from business, education, labour and equity groups is in place to guide the work of this project.

Project Objectives:

1. To investigate and develop a clearer understanding of the role of Essential Skills as an enabler to apprenticeship completion.
2. To demonstrate, through the examination of key initiatives / projects, the manner in which Essential Skills benefit the apprenticeship community as a whole.

Phase One – Research and Analysis

Scheduled for completion in July 2006, Phase One will culminate in a report that will reflect the results of:

1. An extensive environmental scan of current Essential Skills initiatives/projects and;
2. An in-depth review and analysis of approximately 10 selected Essential Skills initiatives/projects across Canada.

Critical questions to be addressed in the report will include:

• What is the degree and extent to which Essential Skills are considered a barrier to accessing and completing apprenticeship training programs at present?
• What initiatives are currently underway and what process did the activity include to determine the depth and breadth of the Essential Skills lacking? Are these initiatives specific to particular regions, trades or segments of the population?
• Is there a list of Essential Skills that may be unique to apprenticeship? Specifically is there a baseline level of Essential Skills that are required for an entry level apprentice? And, if there are indeed Essential Skills unique to apprenticeship, are there recommended strategies for assessment?
• Is there an understanding amongst apprenticeship stakeholders regarding Essential Skills? What is the awareness level? If the stakeholders are aware, what then are the practices if any? How do the stakeholders create momentum for the activity and what are some of the benefits occurring as a result of the initiatives underway? Is there a willingness to implement practices where appropriate?

Phase Two – Communications

It is intended that the results from Phase One will enable the apprenticeship community to plan and perhaps share in activities and implementation strategies that will address the project’s findings.

An extensive communication strategy which will focus primarily on the apprenticeship community will be carried out in Phase Two of the project. The proposal for Phase Two will be submitted as Phase 1 nears completion.

Need More Information?

For further information, contact the Essential Skills Project Manager, Debbie Miller at
(613) 235–4004 ext. 207 or via e-mail at debbie_miller@caf-fca.org.