Skills for Success (Essential Skills) Summary

Skills for Success are needed in a quickly changing world for work, learning and life. They are foundational for building other skills and important for effective social interaction. Everyone benefits from having these skills as they help individuals get a job, progress at their current job and change jobs. They also help individuals become active members of their community and succeed in learning.

Through extensive research and consultations, the Government of Canada launched the new Skills for Success model renewing the previous Essential Skills framework to better reflect the needs of the current and future labour market.

For full descriptions of the Skills for Success including their components and proficiency levels see: Skill components and proficiency levels – Canada.ca.

The following summarizes how such skills are used in this trade. Note that the summaries below are based on the previous model (Essential Skills), and will be adapted in the next iteration of the Red Seal Occupational Standard to match the Skills for Success model.

• Reading

  Cabinetmakers use reading skills to read manuals, instructions and details of job specifications such as material lists. They read health and safety materials and WHMIS documents, in order to maintain a safe work environment.

• Document use

  Documents that cabinetmakers work with include material lists, instructions and work orders. They may also consult and interpret drawings and sketches. They complete checklists relating to safety precautions.

• Writing

  Cabinetmakers write lists of materials and instructions. They may write notes to keep records of job specifications for themselves, others and clients. They prepare layouts and shop sketches to guide assembly and installation.

• Oral communication

  Cabinetmakers use oral communication skills to discuss job details with colleagues, apprentices and clients. They also coordinate work with other trades.

• Numeracy

  Cabinetmakers use numeracy skills to accurately measure and calculate required building material. They may also estimate time, labour and skill set for a project. The ability to perform unit conversions and to convert between imperial and metric measurements is important. The knowledge of basic geometry is essential.

• Thinking

  Problem solving skills are used by cabinetmakers to anticipate and deal with situations such as materials arriving damaged or unplanned machinery breakdowns. They also problem solve when they need to create a custom piece. Cabinetmakers use their decision-making skills when dealing with various issues such as work priorities and procedures. Cabinetmakers plan and organize jobs. They must recall standard measurements, stock numbers of commonly used materials and standard allowances for openings.

• Working with others

  Cabinetmakers may work independently or with others. They coordinate their work with other workers on-site including apprentices, journeypersons, supervisors and workers from other trades depending on the size of the work site and the type of work.

• Digital technology

  Computer-aided design (CAD) software is often used by cabinetmakers for specifications and drawings. Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software may be used for controlling machinery and machine tools to produce work pieces. Cabinetmakers may also work with computer numerical control (CNC) machines. They may use computers or digital devices to conduct research on a product or to communicate in a production environment. They may use word processing and spreadsheet software to assist with regular work activities.

• Continuous learning

  There is an ongoing requirement to learn and gain experience while working as a cabinetmaker. Applications, materials and processes are continually changing and skills need to be kept up‑to‑date. Certification courses are also available to authorize cabinetmakers to use and install certain types of products.

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