National Adult Literacy Database

In the spring of 2010, the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF) undertook a project to increase employer awareness of Essential Skills (ES) and to provide guidance for implementing ES upgrading within their organizations.

Key objectives included promoting the value of ES within the context of apprenticeship; supporting employers who employ apprentices as they learn more about ES; and conducting a series of “webinars” to provide opportunities for employers to increase awareness and learn a step-by-step approach to implementing ES upgrading.

The results of the project suggest that employers, although aware of the need for strong Essential Skills in employees and apprentices, often hesitate to integrate skills upgrading programs until they can see the direct impact on their organization. The authors call for continued efforts to raise employer awareness of the benefits of ensuring all apprentices possess the required levels of ES proficiency.

CAF is a national organization guided by a board of directors that includes representative from business, labour, education, and provincial/territorial apprenticeship boards.