National Adult Literacy Database

This is the first in a series of research briefs on finding innovative ways to delivery literacy and Essential Skills to achieve results. The aim of the series is to explore the role literacy and Essential Skills can play in supporting local economic and workforce development.

In this document, the authors examine the concept of industry shared Essential Skills. This approach gets employers and service providers involved in the co-design and delivery of training in order to promote employment opportunities for job-seekers with complex needs.

The authors point out that such initiatives have the potential to relieve anticipated shortages in the pool of skilled labour.

The brief was written by Essential Skills Ontario, a non-profit organization that helps adults develop the skills they need to thrive in a changing world. It focuses on adults who have complex learning or social needs; lack a high school diploma; need to upgrade their skills; or who are facing difficulties in finding and keeping a job for any of a number of reasons.