SKILLS MATTER: THE ONTARIO APPROACH!

Like the Cutlers' 'Better Learners, Better Learners programme, the Ontario Skills Passport was developed after conversations with employers and provides clear descriptions of the essential skills and work habits important for success in work, learning and life. 

Learners can use the tools and resources to assess, build, document and track their skills in the classroom, cooperative education and other experiential learning opportunities, volunteering and extracurricular activities. This information can help them develop their Individual Pathways Plan (IPP) as they answer the questions: Who am I? What are my opportunities? Who do I want to become? What is my plan for achieving my goals? 

The Ontario Skills Passport identifies the essential skills and work habits needed for work, learning and life. The skills included in the Ontario Skills Passport are broken down into three core areas: 

literacy, numeracy and thinking skills. It also includes a section on work habits, since it is important for everyone in the work force to have good work habits as well as the appropriate skills. 

The work habits included in the Ontario Skills Passport are working safely, teamwork, reliability, organisation, working independently, initiative, self-advocacy, customer service and entrepreneurship.

There is an extensive web-site with case studies, tool kits and resources linked to occupations and tasks.

The passport is structured to support workplace learning, learning in school and college and lifelong learning with a database that contains sample workplace tasks for 390 occupations, grouped by essential skill and skill level.