Learn More About
Essential Skills
We Will Build the Future
Literacy allows people to read the world rather just the word.
Essential Skills are the skills needed for work, learning and life. They provide the foundation for learning all other skills and enable people to perform tasks required by their jobs as well as adapt to change. The skills are generic and are used in virtually all occupations and throughout daily life. They are transferable from school to work, job to job and sector to sector.
Through extensive research, the Government of Canada and other national and international agencies have identified and validated nine Essential Skills. The research included interviews conducted with over 5000 Canadian workers by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC).
The Essential Skills are:
| Reading Text | Working with Others |
| Document Use | Continuous Learning |
| Numeracy | Thinking Skills |
| Writing | Computer Use |
| Oral Communication |
HRSDC’s Essential Skills Website
English site »
Site web français »
A series of tools have been developed to help individuals and organizations address workplace essential skills challenges. You can download or order them online.
Une série d’outils a été créée dans le but d’aider les personnes et les organismes à relever les défis posés en matière de compétences essentielles en milieu de travail. Vous pouvez les trouver içi.
| Essential Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Reading Text | The comprehension of text consisting of sentences and paragraphs |
| Document Use | The use of labels, lists, signs, graphs, charts, tables, forms and similar materials |
| Numeracy
Money Math Scheduling, Budgeting and Accounting Measurement and Calculation Data Analysis Numerical Estimation |
Use mathematical skills to make financial transactions such as handling cash, preparing bills and making statements
Plan and monitor the best use of time and money Measure and calculate quantities, areas, volumes and/or distances Collect and analyze of numerical data Produce estimates in numerical terms |
| Writing | Prepare written materials for a variety of purposes |
| Oral Communication | Use speech to exchange thoughts and information |
| Working with Others Continuous Learning |
Interact with others to complete tasks. Participate in an ongoing process to improve skills and knowledge |
| Thinking Skills
Job Task Planning and Organizing Decision Making Problem Solving Finding Information |
Planning and organizing one’s own work
Use appropriate information to make any type of decision Identify and solve problems Use a variety of sources to find information |
| Computer Use | The use of any type of computerized technology |