Essential Employability Skills
Read about the required skills graduates must achieve from a postsecondary program to earn an Ontario College credential in addition to the general education requirement and learning outcomes of specific programs.
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:
- communication
- numeracy
- critical thinking and problem solving
- information management
- interpersonal
- personal
Graduates must also demonstrate the defining skills and learning outcomes within each of the six skill categories:
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
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
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
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
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