Understanding The 9 Essential Skills
Essential skills are part of our everyday life. It is hard to do just one essential skill at a time, because all 9 of them are interconnected and built into almost any task at home, in learning, or in the workplace. For CALP staff, being able to identify which essential skills a learner needs to use to complete a task can be a really great way to help learners in their everyday life and support them in their learning journey.
The 9 Essential Skills
Your primary source for all things Essential Skills is the Government of Canada, who began the research into essential skills way back in the late 80’s, early 90’s. They sent out a group of trained interviewers to talk to hundreds and hundreds of competent workers across Canada so that they could pinpoint what the essential skills actually are.
From that research, the Essential Skills Framework was developed. Here’s the link to the framework: http://www.esdc.gc.ca/en/essential_skills/index.page
Don’t worry if you aren’t very familiar with essential skills. You’re not alone! This e-learning will give you the basics to understand them and how they function in everyday life.
This diagram illustrates the 9 essential skills.
As an example of essential skills in daily life, let's look at an activity as simple as sending an email. Right away it's obvious that this task involves the Digital Technology essential skill, but there's much more to it than that. Composing the email requires critical Thinking, typing the words into the computer or mobile device requires both Writing and Reading, and often we end up using Document Use or Numeracy as part of sending an email, too. As you can see, it's easy for a single task to draw on more than half of the 9 essential skills.
In this video, Terri Peters describes each of the 9 essential skills:
1) Reading
Reading is the ability to read and understand written information.
How we use this skill:
- Scanning for information
- Skimming for overall meaning
- Critiquing or evaluating what’s read
- Integrating information from multiple sources
2) Document Use
The ability to find and use the information you need, put in information where it is needed, and construct information displays.
How we use this skill:
- Reading signs, labels or lists
- Interpreting graphs or charts
- Filling out forms
- Reading or creating schematic or assembly drawings
3) Numeracy
The ability to use numbers and think mathematically to measure and make calculations, to estimate, to work with money, to analyze numerical trends and to create schedules and budgets.
How we use this skill:
- Numerical estimating
- Dealing with money
- Scheduling or budgeting
- Measurement and data analysis
4) Writing
The ability to use the written word to create a clear message. This includes writing on digital devices using typing.
How we use this skill:
- Organizing, recording or documenting
- Providing information to persuade
- Requesting information or justifying a request
- Presenting an analysis or comparison
5) Oral Communication
The ability to talk with others to give and exchange information and ideas, such as: ask questions, give directions, coordinate tasks, explain and persuade.
How we use this skill:
- Greeting people and taking messages
- Reassuring, comforting or persuading
- Seeking information and resolving conflicts
- Facilitating or leading a group
6) Working with others
The ability to lead, coordinate or collaborate with others.
How we use this skill:
- Working as a member of a team or jointly with a partner
- Engaging in supervisory or leadership activities
7) Thinking
This skill includes problem solving, decision making, critical thinking, job task planning and organizing, significant use of memory, and finding information.
How we use this skill:
- Doing research to find the best price for something you want to buy
- Putting together a work or chore schedule
- Choosing what to make for supper based on what ingredients you have available
- Memorizing personal, family and work schedules rather than relying on a paper or electronic calendar
8) Digital Technology
The ability to use information and communication technology.
How we use this skill:
- Operation of cash registers
- Using word processing software
- Sending e-mails
- Using a smartphone
- Creating and modifying spreadsheets
9) Continuous Learning
The ability to apply strategies which support learning and the ability to adapt to change.
How we use this skill:
- Figuring out how to use technology after updates install (smart phones, computers, etc.)
- Asking a friend, family member or co-worker to teach you something
- Accessing training for work or to be qualified for certain tasks