Overview

The teaching and attainment of these Essential Employability Skills (EES) for students in, and graduates from, Ontario's colleges of applied arts and technology are anchored in a set of three fundamental assumptions:

  • These skills are important for every adult to function successfully in society today.
  • Our colleges are well equipped and well positioned to prepare graduates with these skills.
  • These skills are equally valuable for all graduates, regardless of the level of their credential, whether they pursue a career path, or they pursue further education.

Skill categories

All Ontario college graduates holding the credentials of an Ontario College Certificate, Ontario College Diploma, an Ontario College Advanced Diploma, or Ontario College Graduate Certificate (or the French-language equivalent) must be able to reliably demonstrate the EES required in each of these six skill categories:

  1. communication
  2. numeracy
  3. critical thinking and problem solving
  4. information management
  5. interpersonal
  6. personal

Graduates must also demonstrate the defining skills and learning outcomes within each of the six skill categories:

  1. Communication

    Defining skills:

    • reading
    • writing
    • speaking
    • listening
    • presenting
    • visual literacy

    Learning outcomes

    The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

    • communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken, and visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audience
    • respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication
  2. Numeracy

    Defining skills:

    • understanding and applying mathematical concepts and reasoning
    • analyzing and using numerical data
    • conceptualizing

    Learning outcomes

    The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

    • execute mathematical operations accurately
  3. Critical thinking and problem solving

    Defining skills:

    • analyzing
    • synthesizing
    • evaluating
    • decision making
    • creative and innovative thinking

    Learning outcomes

    The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

    • apply a systematic approach to solve problems
    • use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems
  4. Information management

    Defining skills:

    • gathering and managing information
    • selecting and using appropriate tools and technology for a task or a project
    • computer literacy
    • Internet skills

    Learning outcomes

    The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

    • locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems
    • analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources
  5. Interpersonal

    Defining skills:

    • teamwork
    • relationship management
    • conflict resolution
    • leadership
    • networking

    Learning outcomes

    The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

    • show respect for the diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others
    • interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals

    Personal

    Defining skills:

    • managing self
    • managing change and being flexible and adaptable
    • engaging in reflective practices
    • demonstrating personal responsibility

    Learning outcomes

    The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

    • manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects
    • take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences