Foundation Skills

Skill demands are increasing in the labour market. Individuals minimally need a core set of essential and basic skills for employment and career success.

• Essential skills

• Academic upgrading

• Literacy

• English as a second-language

• Additional Resources

Essential skills

Individuals need a core set of foundation skills to be successful at work and adapt to workplace change. This set of essential skills lays the foundation to help them learn new skills and participate to their full potential at work, at home and in the community. These essential skills include:

• Reading text

• Document use

• Numeracy

• Writing

• Oral communication

• Working with others

• Continuous learning

• Thinking skills

• Computer use

For more information about essential skills development, please visit the Essential Skills Website - HRSDC. This website also provides tools and resources to help individuals assess their essential skills, including the Essential Skills Online Learning Tool.

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Academic upgrading

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Department of Education is responsible for programs and policies that relate to adult learning and literacy.

Adult learners can complete their high school education through the Adult Basic Education (ABE). This provincial program has three levels as follows:

• ABE Level I refers to basic literacy and is roughly equivalent to a grade 6 formal education level.

• ABE Level II is considered equivalent to grades 7-9.

• ABE Level III corresponds to grades 10-12 and requires the completion of a minimum of 36 credits in order to graduate.

ABE Level I programs are offered at various non-profit community-based organizations and the College of the North Atlantic. ABE Level I sites that provide information online include:

• College of the North Atlantic - Adult Basic Education

• Newfoundland and Labrador Association of the Deaf

• Rabbittown Learners Program

• Stella Burry Community Services

ABE Level II and III programs are offered at:

• Academy Canada Career College - ABE (High School Completion)

• College of the North Atlantic - Adult Basic Education

• Discovery Centre

• Keyin College

• Murphy Centre

Many individuals who do not have a high school diploma have acquired knowledge and skills through work experience, reading, social interaction and communication, and informal training. They may be eligible to take a General Educational Development (GED) test to earn their high school diploma.

The GED tests are designed to measure the general knowledge, ideas and thinking skills that are normally acquired through three years of high school but which are gained in a different manner.

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Literacy

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Department of Education is responsible for programs and policies that relate to adult learning and literacy.

For more information about literacy programs, services and supports, please follow the links below:

• Adult Learning and Literacy Division - Department of Education

• Literacy Newfoundland and Labrador

• Newfoundland and Labrador Literacy Organizations

• Literacy Links: Human Resources and Social Development Canada

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English as a second language (ESL)

Many newcomers and immigrants in Newfoundland and Labrador face language barriers that limit their full participation in the labour market and their employment success. ESL programs are available to assist individuals with developing their English language skills.

For more information about ESL programs, services and supports, please follow the links below:

• Association for New Canadians - ESL

• College of the North Atlantic - ESL

• Learn English

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Additional Resources

• Please visit the Students / Lifelong Learners page to access a comprehensive directory of links to related resources and tools.