Posted by wemadmin
on Tuesday, June 15, 2010.
Does teaching basic reading, writing and math equal the teaching of Essential Skills? Are all those claiming to practice Essential Skills actually using a model or definition of Essential Skills as they are used for the workplace?
I think not.
This is a real hot button for me. My experience over two-and-a-half decades in workforce development has led me to form some very definitive perspectives. Through this blog I intend to share those thoughts and generate some discussion. I embrace discussion about ideas, and even a bit of controversy.
So let’s get started. As an introduction: I am a hard-line purist when it comes to Essential Skills.
I get and I adhere to the original goal of the HRSDC Essential Skills model. Essential Skills is a clear break from the traditional system of learning by grade level. It’s about defining required skills and how complex their application is by specific job function.
Since the 1980s, employers have been complaining that employees increasingly do not have the skills to do the job, take on new challenges and move up in their organizations. This is irrespective of their education level!
What’s that all about?
The Essential Skills Model provides a model with which to tackle this issue. Essential Skills never claims to replace other learning or to be a new-and-improved version of basic education. It’s a framework for defining and assessing required workplace skills and the competency to which those skills must be performed by job function.
Perhaps the danger lies in its simplicity.
Employers clearly get it, but it demands rigour in its application. Essential Skills aren’t just about basic skills definitions: the model is about how the skills are applied in the workplace.
My observation is that many like to talk the "Essential Skills talk" but are content to leave behind the rigour involved in understanding specific workplace realities, environments and applications.
I’m far more interested in churning the debate than calming the waters around who is really doing Essential Skills.
Over the next few months I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the difference between basic education and Essential Skills and the importance of transferring and applying learning within the Essential Skills sphere.
Feel free to share your disagreements, divergences and opinions.
Stay tuned – I look forward to the discussion.
