Lesson #1: Introduction to Essential Skills

To develop an awareness of Essential Skills

• Know what Essential Skills are
• Be able to name all 9 Essential Skills

Essential Skills are skills that people need for work, life and everyday learning. You use Essential Skills everyday without realizing it.

You have used Essential Skills if you have

• used a TTY
• used a computer
• paid bills
• used an ATM
• written an email
• read a book
• used a map to plan a trip
• assisted a friend
• put gas in a car
• used a DVD player

There are 9 Essential Skills, they are

• Reading
• Writing
• Document Use
• Numeracy (math)
• Communication
• Computer Use
• Thinking Skills
• Working with Others
• Continuous Learning

Essential Skills provide people the foundational skills needed to learn other skills. Essential Skills are used every day in work, learning and life. Every job uses all 9 Essential Skills.

Working alone or in a group, watch the video. Each time you see an Essential Skill being used, write the Essential Skill you saw. After the video, think about each situation when the Essential Skill was being used. Think about examples of when you needed to use the same Essential Skill

• On the job
• In your everyday life
• At school or training program

Talk about each of your answers.