Skills for success (Essential Skills) summary

Essential skills are needed for work, learning and life. They provide the foundation for learning all other skills and enable people to evolve with their jobs and adapt to workplace change.

Through extensive research, the Government of Canada and other national and international agencies have identified and validated nine essential skills. These skills are used in nearly every occupation and throughout daily life in different ways.

• 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.