Can a 20 hour Essential Skills (ES) intervention make a difference in learner success? By working with Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) faculty and learners in programs not familiar with ES, the research team proved the value of supporting ES development in SIAST learners and integrating ES in SIAST curriculum. Eight programs in heath, business and community services divisions were identified. 102 learners were pre-tested to determine who was below the ES level required for success in programs and employment. Pre-testing using the Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES) confirmed that 88 of the 102 learners tested... Lire la suite

Do community college students in the School of Business have the Essential Skills necessary for program completion? What impact would using Essential Skills interventions have on their learning and future work? These were questions that NSCC academic leaders sought answers to by asking students in Business Administration, Culinary Arts and Tourism Management at the Kingstec Campus to participate in a research project. There were 90 students who agreed to participate with 66 students completing the initial Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES). Forty participants scored at Level 2 in Document Use. Six completed some Essential Skills (ES) training and the... Lire la suite

Literacy research has shown that post-secondary students often do not have the Essential Skills (ES) necessary to be successful in school and work. The National Framework Project provided Conestoga College with an opportunity to provide ES upskilling to post-secondary students to equip them with skills for workplace success. Students in three programs, selected for their close relationship to the labour market, participated in self-directed upskilling, customized to students' programs and career goals. A total of 350 participants were invited to participate in the project with 26 becoming early adopters of the program. Overall, the results of the program were very... Lire la suite

Nursing occupations implies the highest level of literacy skill of any occupation in Canada. With 39 percent of Camosun nursing students dropping out before graduation, the economic impact is significant for students, colleges and taxpayers. This case study focuses on improving the skill levels of nursing and health and human services students. Due to the heavy reliance on the use of documents in those occupations, a training program targeting Document Use was developed.  It aimed to provide extra support to students at risk of not graduating due to essential skills gaps. After completing an ES assessment, learners followed an ES... Lire la suite

How do we go about training workers and technical students in Essential Skills? Sault College used TOWES testing and conducted training interventions with three groups to test, train and retest workers and students about to enter the workforce. The groups included 29 workers from Essar Steel Algoma, 32 students from the electrical and mechanical programs at Sault College, as well as, 23 Aboriginal students in pre-apprenticeship programs. Eighty-four workers and technical students were tested for the project. A total of 35 workers and students participated in the Essential Skills intervention, for various amounts of training, with 5 workers and 6... Lire la suite