Essential Skills and the
Ontario Skills Passport
www.ontario.ca/skillspassport
Ontario Skills Passport (OSP)
Essential Skills …
• are used in virtually all occupations
and in everyday life
• transferable from school to work, job to job and further
education or training, including apprenticeship
• help people adapt to change
• provide people with a foundation for learning other skills,
like technical skills and job/workplace specific skills.
Essential Skills
HRSDC & OSP
No.
HRSDC (9 Skills)
OSP (14 Skills)
1
Reading Text
Reading Text
2
Writing
Writing
3
Document Use
Document Use
4
Computer Use
Computer Use
5
Oral Communication
Oral Communication
6
Numeracy
Money Math, Data Analysis, Measurement and
Calculation, Numerical Estimation and
Scheduling or Budgeting and Accounting
7
Thinking Skills
Job Task Planning and Organizing, Decision
Making, Problem Solving, Finding Information
8
Working with Others
Team Building is a Work Habit in the OSP
9
Continuous Learning
Continuous Learning is not included in the OSP
Why These Skills Are Essential
• Generic skills used in virtually all occupations
and throughout daily life in different forms and at
different levels of complexity.
• They are transferable from school to work, job
to job and further education or training.
• They provide the foundation for learning other
skills, such as technical skills and job/workplace
specific skills.
• Enable people to perform tasks required by their
jobs as well as adapt to change.
TASKS
List 4 items that are on
your WORK “to do”
list that you have to
attend to today.
SKILLS
What skills do you have to
use in order to complete
each of those tasks?
Essential Skills in the OSP
Reading Text
• Refers to the comprehension of text
consisting of sentences and paragraphs.
– Notes
– Letters
– Memos
– Manuals
– Books
– Etc.
Reading Text
Work
Read a short email from a customer asking
if a product is available. (1)
Learning
Read articles in newspapers, magazines
and websites to gain background
knowledge on a topic. (3)
Life
Read a movie review to decide if you want
to go and see it. (2)
Writing
• Means the preparation of written materials
for a variety of purposes.
– Writing notes
– Filling in forms
– Writing an e-mail
– Creating reports
Writing
Work
Write one or two paragraphs to record an
incident or to make a suggestion. (2)
Learning
Write a short note to remind yourself about
homework to complete. (1)
Life
Write a cover letter to apply for a job.
Address the requirements in the job ad and
describe why you are a good candidate for
the position. (3)
Document Use
• Refers to tasks that use a variety of
information displays
– Pictures
– Icons
– Tables
– Graphs
– Lists
– Blueprints
– Maps
Document Use
Work
Record availability on a weekly work schedule.
(1)
Learning
Complete a student information form. (2)
Life
Complete a multi-page job application form. (3)
Computer Use
• The use of any type of computerized
technology. Applications of Computer Use
include varying levels of interaction with:
– Computer-controlled equipment
– Software programs
– Information technology systems
Computer Use
Work
Produce brochures using graphics software. (3)
Learning
Research a topic using the Internet. (2)
Life
Check a company’s website to find travel or
weather information. (2)
Oral Communication
• Pertains to the use of speech to give and
exchange thoughts and information
– Conversations
– Seeking or obtaining information
– Leading a group
– Providing comfort or reassurance
Oral Communication
Work
Make presentations to small groups, such as
representatives of a potential new client. (3)
Learning
Book an appointment with your guidance
counsellor. (1)
Life
Negotiate with a salesperson over the price and
conditions of a major purchase. (3)
Recognize That Essential Skill?
In your groups:
 Complete the Task
 Decide which Essential Skill is being
showcased.
Task 1
Time
Person Responsible
1:10 pm
Lorri Sharon
Location
Centre Court
Essential Skill Demonstrated:
Document Use (2)
Activity
Clock is put on
visual (computer
and screen)
Task 2
Answers will vary. Possible answer:
Dear Don,
On behalf of Ontario READ, we would sincerely like to thank
you for participating in the Family Literacy Day event on
January 27th. Your presence and songs inspired families
to join the “Read In” and other activities throughout the
day. We really appreciated your talents and support.
Thank you,
[name signed here]
Essential Skill Demonstrated:
Writing (2) Additional Skills: Document Use (2)
Numeracy Skills
• Money Math
• Scheduling or Budgeting
and Accounting
• Measurement and Calculation
• Data Analysis
• Numerical Estimation
Money Math
• Refers to the use of mathematical skills in
making financial transactions
– handling cash
– preparing bills
– making payments
Money Math
Work
Total customer purchases, including applicable
taxes. (2)
Learning
Count out change to pay for lunch. (1)
Life
Convert the cost of an item from U.S. currency to
Canadian currency to decide whether it is a good
value. (2)
Scheduling or Budgeting
and Accounting
• Planning for the best use of time and
money, as well as monitoring of the use of
time and money.
Scheduling or Budgeting
and Accounting
Work
Schedule customer appointments, identifying an
appropriate time and allocating sufficient time for
each appointment. (2)
Learning
Calculate the ticket price for a school fundraising
event considering the cost of supplies, expected
net profit and the number of tickets you expect to
sell. (3)
Life
Schedule cleaning, laundry and grocery
shopping for the week. (1)
Measurement and Calculation
• The measurement and calculation of
quantities, areas, volumes, and/or
distances.
Measurement and Calculation
Work
Calculate the square footage of a room to figure
out how much carpet to buy for a customer. (2)
Learning
Double or triple the ingredients in a recipe when
preparing food for a school event. (2)
Life
Measure the amount of laundry detergent for a
load of laundry. (1)
Data Analysis
• The collection and analysis of data in
numerical form.
Data Analysis
Work
Analyze responses to customer service
questionnaires to identify patterns. (3)
Learning
Compare your mark on two assignments to
determine whether your skills are improving. (1)
Life
Calculate the average amount of money you
spend on groceries per week to figure out how
much of each paycheque to budget for food. (2)
Numerical Estimation
• The production of estimates in numerical
terms.
Numerical Estimation
Work
Estimate the volume of cleaning fluid to add to
water. (1)
Learning
Estimate rehearsal time requirements to mount a
new school play. (3)
Life
Estimate the time it will take to get to an
appointment. (2)
Recognize That Essential Skill?
In your groups:
 Complete the Task
 Decide which Essential Skill is being
showcased.
Task 1
$8,243.95 savings
Essential Skills Demonstrated:
Measurement and Calculation (3)
Additional Skills: Document Use (2)
One way to get this answer...
1. Identify what is required: the cost savings to the client.
2. Find the number of square feet to be tiled.
3. Locate the column “Item or Description” in the Estimate Detail Form.
4. Scan the column for the key word “tile”.
5. Decide that 650 SQ’ is the number of square feet to be tiled.
6. Identify what is required: 10% for waste allowance on materials.
7. Set up the problem to find the total required including waste allowance: (square feet x waste
percentage) + square feet = square feet to be tiled including waste allowance.
8. Calculate: (650 x 10%) + 650 = 715 square feet.
9. Identify what is required: the cost for porcelain and ceramic tiles to cover 715 square feet.
10. Set up the problem to find the cost for porcelain tiles: price / sq. ft. Coverage x 715 square feet =
cost for porcelain tiles to cover 715 square feet.
11. Calculate: $16.25 x 715 = $11,618.75.
12. Set up problem to find the cost for ceramic tiles: price / sq. ft. Coverage x 715 square feet = cost
for ceramic tiles to cover 715 square feet.
13. Calculate: $4.72 sq. ft. x 715 = $3,374.80.
14. Identify what is required: the cost savings to the client by using ceramic tiles.
15. Set up the problem to find the cost difference: Total porcelain price for coverage – Total ceramic
price for coverage = cost savings.
16. Calculate: $11,618.75 - $3,374.80 = $8,243.95.
17. Decide the savings to the customer would be $8,243.95.
Task 2
At least 72 golfers are required to meet the
target profit.
Essential Skills Demonstrated:
Scheduling or Budgeting and
Accounting (2)
One way to get this answer...
1. Identify what is required: minimum number of golfers required to
meet the target profit.
2. Scan the task statement for minimum profit required.
3. Locate $2,500.
4. Scan the task statement to find the cost that golfers will pay for the
event.
5. Locate $90.
6. Scan the task statement to find the profit earned per golfer for the
event.
7. Locate $35.
8. Set up problem: (minimum number of golfers x $35) = $2,500.
9. Calculate: (X x $35) = $2,500. 2,500 / 35 = X. 2,500 / 35 = 71.43.
10. Decide that at least 72 golfers are required to meet the target profit
of $2,500.
Thinking Skills
•
•
•
•
Job Task Planning and Organizing
Decision Making
Problem Solving
Finding Information
Job Task Planning
and Organizing
• The planning and organization of one’s
own work.
Job Task Planning
and Organizing
Work
You work on similar tasks from one day to the next. You
decide what to work on first, but you need to confirm with
your supervisor that your plan is okay. You might need to
change your plans after interruptions or to better coordinate your tasks with your co-workers. (3)
Learning
You typically complete similar tasks from one day to the
next. Each day, you attend previously-scheduled classes.
Outside of class time, you plan and organize your time to
complete homework, work on group assignments and
attend extracurricular meetings, practices and events and
work part-time. (3)
Life
As a parent, each day is different. It is up to you to plan
each day, decide which tasks are most important and
sequence the tasks to make sure your children and home
are taken care of. There are many interruptions, which often
force you to revise your plan. (4)
Decision Making
• The making of any
type of decision,
using appropriate
information.
Decision Making
Work
You decide to offer a customer a discount or
rebate to keep their business. You use your
discretion to decide what is appropriate under
the circumstances. (2)
Learning
You select the materials you will need to
complete a monthly book report project. (1)
Life
Decide to accept a temporary employment
contract which requires moving to another city.
You use your experience and judgment to
consider whether the new contract and new city
will meet your needs. You may need to consider
others’ interests in your decision, which may be
at odds with your own opinion. (3)
Problem Solving
• The identification and solving of problems.
Problem Solving
Work
You wake up too late to get to work on time. Call
your supervisor immediately as stated in your
work policy. (1)
Learning
There is a conflict between group members
working on a project worth 30% of your final
mark. Identify options that will appease each
member so you can effectively complete the
assignment. (3)
Life
You have scheduled two appointments at the
same time. Determine which activity can and
should be rescheduled. (2)
Finding Information
• The use of a variety of sources, including
written text, people, computerized
databases, and information systems.
Finding Information
Work
Find invoice or product order status in computer
or paper records. (1)
Learning
Conduct research for a report by consulting
textbooks, conducting Internet searches and
talking to experts in the field, as appropriate. (3)
Life
Find information on a company before
interviewing for a job. Consult a variety of
sources, such as industry journals, conduct
Internet research and talk to industry contacts. (3)
Choose That Essential Skill...
Essential
Skill
Working inDescription
pairs, decide which Essential
Skill is
being
demonstrated
in each
Likes to keep
the team
on task during group
work. of these activities.
Likes to track the stats of their favourite sports team.
Can calculate HST on anything!
Loves all kinds of reading materials … magazines,
novels, newspapers, anything!
Likes to listen to problems and find appropriate
solutions … a regular Dr. Phil!
Likes to talk a lot and enjoys presenting in front of the
class.
Weighs all the options before choosing what to do.
Is great at planning a party and keeping on budget.
Is good at filling in forms; likes working with charts.
Likes cooking and measures out all the ingredients.
Writes messages in greeting cards, keeps a journal or
likes to write stories or poems.
Choose That Essential Skill...
Essential
Skill
Working inDescription
pairs, decide which Essential
Skill is
being
demonstrated
each of these
activities.
Likes to keep
the team
on task during groupin
work.
Job Task
Planning and
Organizing
Likes to track the stats of their favourite sports team.
Data Analysis
Can calculate HST on anything!
Money Math
Loves all kinds of reading materials … magazines, novels,
newspapers, anything!
Reading Text
Likes to listen to problems and find appropriate solutions … a
regular Dr. Phil!
Problem Solving
Likes to talk a lot and enjoys presenting in front of the class.
Oral Communication
Weighs all the options before choosing what to do.
Decision Making
Is great at planning a party and keeping on budget.
Scheduling, Budgeting and
Accounting
Is good at filling in forms; likes working with charts.
Document Use
Likes cooking and measures out all the ingredients.
Measurement and
Calculation
Writes messages in greeting cards, keeps a journal or likes to
write stories or poems.
Writing
Skills
• What skills do you have to use in order to
complete each of those tasks?
• For each task, prioritize the skills:
 MOST important
 Next important
 Is there a 3rd important skill?
SKILLS ZONE
Essential Skill Levels
• We use our Essential Skills everyday but
we also use them at different levels of
complexity or skill levels when performing
tasks.
• Skill levels indicate the level of complexity
involved in the use of a skill in a particular
task.
Complexity Rating Scale
• The Complexity Rating Scale indicates the
level of complexity involved in the use of a
skill in a particular task.
• The least complex tasks are classified at
level 1; the most complex tasks are
classified at level 5 or at level 4 if there are
only 4 levels for a skill.
Skill levels are associated with workplace tasks and
not the worker performing these tasks.
Essential Skill Levels
“Why is this so hard?” card game
Card Game (Part 1)
• Shuffle the deck of cards.
• Find the Ace of Spades.
• Once you are done, think
about the process.
Card Game (Part 1)
Locating
• In Part 1 of the card game,
there was a direct match
between the visual of the card
(Ace of Spades) and the card
you needed to locate in the deck.
• This strategy is known as “locating.”
Card Game (Part 2)
• Shuffle the deck.
• Locate all four aces.
• Once you are done,
think about the process.
Card Game (Part 2)
Cycling
• In Part 2 of the card game, you had to find
the four aces (A♥, A♦, A♣, and A♠).
• This strategy is known as “cycling.”
• Increased time was required
to complete the task.
Card Game (Part 3)
• Put all the cards back in the deck and
shuffle.
• Find all the diamonds and place the cards
in order from A (low) to K (high).
• Once you are done, think about the
process.
Card Game (Part 3)
Integrating
• In Part 3 of the card game, you were
asked to find all the diamonds and place
the cards in order from A (low) to K (high).
• This task involves multiple “locates” but
this time you also had to manipulate, or
process, the cards by sequencing them.
• This strategy is known as “integrate.”
Card Game (Part 4)
• Put all the cards back in the deck and
shuffle.
• Identify the highest-scoring hand for each
of the three most popular card
games in North America.
• Once you are done, think about
the process.
Card Game (Part 4)
Generating
• In Part 4 of the card game, you were
asked to identify the highest-scoring hand
for each of the three most popular card
games in North America.
• This task was the most challenging
because it depended on using your prior
knowledge to complete the task.
• You had to “generate” the answer in your
own head.
Card Game (Review)
• The card game illustrates the strategies of
locating, cycling, integrating and
generating.
• This demonstrates the kinds of analysis
that went into determining the Essential
Skills complexity levels.
• Tasks that require only locating are
considered easier than tasks that require
cycling, integrating or generating.
Task Complexity
What makes tasks more or less difficult?
The difficulty level of a task depends on how easy or hard it
is to find the answer.
Task
Task Complexity
Complexity
Straightforward tasks (Level 1, 2)
Learner finds key words in the question and matches those
words with the exact same words in the workplace
document.
Learner does not need to have a strong understanding of
the document format to find the answer.
Task Complexity
Examples:
1. What is the patient’s name?
Tim Aalto
2. What is the nutrition diet?
Minced Diabetic
Task Complexity
More difficult tasks
Learner must
 locate multiple pieces of information
 compare information from different areas of the same
document
 integrate information from different areas of the same
document
 generate information
Learner needs to understand the document type or format.
Task Complexity
Level 1, 2 :
Locating multiple pieces of
information
Example:
Which floor coverings can be
installed 16 to 24 hours after
application?
carpet, vinyl sheet goods…
Task Complexity
Level 2:
Comparing information from
different areas of the same
document
Making inferences
Example:
What salads were ordered?
house caesar
house greens
Task Complexity
Level 2, 3:
Integrating information from
different areas of the same
document or two documents
Example:
Greg Raymond is a driver
who has lost his CVOR
Certificate. His RIN is
349 445 234. He is paying for
a replacement
using his credit
card. Complete the
application.
Exercise
Put the tasks in order of complexity from 1 to 5.
• Read a short email to find out what time a meeting is
• Read and critique technical reports, research papers and
journal articles written by co-workers and colleagues.
• Proofread and edit a friend’s résumé and cover letter for
correct grammar and content.
• Read an article in a newsletter to learn about upcoming
or past events.
• Read consumer product reviews from various websites
and magazines to make purchasing decisions.
Essential Skills Profiles
• Essential Skills Profiles describe how each skill is used in an
occupation.
• Researchers asked workers:
•
-
What do you do in your job?
-
Why do you do it?
-
How do you do it?
-
What resources and materials do you use?
There are approximately 400 profiles on the OSP Website.
OSP Occupational Profiles
Each OSP Occupational Profile includes:
• Sample job tasks in over 400 occupational profiles.
• Links to the HRSDC Essential Skill Profile and the
National Occupational Classification (NOC) website.
• Information on career planning, education and training,
and employment and volunteer opportunities.
Skills Pyramid
Registered Nurse
Job/Workplace Specific Skills
Follow the specific emergency procedures in the
clinic if the patient had a reaction to the injection.
Technical Skills
Give an injection.
Essential Skills
DOCUMENT USE
Read labels on the medication to verify the
patient’s name and dosage. (1)
ORAL COMMUNICATION
Communicate with the patient and respond to
questions or concerns relating to their health
status or treatment interventions. (3)
MEASUREMENT AND CALCULATION
Measure the correct quantity of the substance to
be injected. (1)
Essential Skills are transferable
Essential Skills are called transferable
skills because you can transfer them
(or take them with you) from school to
work, further education or training, and to
your everyday life; they are also
transferable from job to job.
Review
1.
2.
3.
4.
There are 14 Essential Skills in the OSP.
Essential Skills have skill levels.
Essential Skills Profiles.
Essential Skills are the foundation for
learning other skills, like technical skills
and job/workplace specific skills.
5. Essential Skills are also called
transferable skills.