1. Essential Skills and the Ontario Skills Passport www.ontario.ca/skillspassport

2. Ontario Skills Passport (OSP)

4. 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.

5. Essential Skills No.OSP (14 Skills) 1Reading Text 2Writing 3Document Use 4Computer Use 5Oral Communication 6Money Math 7Scheduling or Budgeting and Accounting 8Measurement and Calculation 9Data Analysis 10Numerical Estimation 11Job Task Planning and Organizing 12Decision Making 13Problem Solving 14Finding Information

6. 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.

7. Essential Skills in the OSP

8. Reading Text Refers to the comprehension of text consisting of sentences and paragraphs. –Notes –Letters –Memos –Manuals –Books –Etc.

9. 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)

10. Writing Means the preparation of written materials for a variety of purposes. –Writing notes –Filling in forms –Writing an e-mail –Creating reports

11. 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)

12. Document Use Refers to tasks that use a variety of information displays –Pictures –Icons –Tables –Graphs –Lists –Blueprints –Maps

13. 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)

14. 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

15. 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)

16. 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

17. 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)

18. Numeracy Skills Money Math Scheduling or Budgeting and Accounting Measurement and Calculation Data Analysis Numerical Estimation

19. Money Math Refers to the use of mathematical skills in making financial transactions –handling cash –preparing bills –making payments

20. 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)

21. 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.

22. 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)

23. Measurement and Calculation The measurement and calculation of quantities, areas, volumes, and/or distances.

24. 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)

25. Data Analysis The collection and analysis of data in numerical form.

26. 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)

27. Numerical Estimation The production of estimates in numerical terms.

28. 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)

29. Thinking Skills Job Task Planning and Organizing Decision Making Problem Solving Finding Information

30. Job Task Planning and Organizing The planning and organization of one’s own work.

31. 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 co- ordinate 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)

32. Decision Making The making of any type of decision, using appropriate information.

33. 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)

34. Problem Solving The identification and solving of problems.

35. 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)

36. Finding Information The use of a variety of sources, including written text, people, computerized databases, and information systems.

37. 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)

38. Choose That Essential Skill... Working in pairs, decide which Essential Skill is being demonstrated in each of these activities. DescriptionEssential Skill Likes to keep the team on task during group work. 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.

39. Choose That Essential Skill... Working in pairs, decide which Essential Skill is being demonstrated in each of these activities. DescriptionEssential Skill Likes to keep the team on task during group 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