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.

The application of these skills may be described throughout this document within the skills and knowledge which support each sub-task of the trade. The following are summaries of the requirements in each of the essential skills, taken from the essential skills profile.

• Reading

  Construction electricians read several types of documents such as purchase order agreements and instructions for installing systems and components. They also need to read and understand the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), which contains legal and highly technical language. They also read other tradespersons’ plans and specifications to understand the sequences of installation and locations of apparatus.

• Document use

  Construction electricians apply document use skills when they read, interpret and collate information from several documents such as plans, specifications, diagrams and schematics. They reference and interpret these documents when installing, assembling, diagnosing and repairing electrical components and systems. The translation of two-dimensional and three-dimensional drawings into three-dimensional applications also requires strong document use skills.

• Writing

  Writing skills are required for construction electricians to record information about their daily work, including hours worked, job locations and details of conversations about the job. They may also be required to record details on an incident or an accident report. They also make notations on as-built drawings to indicate changes from the original drawings, accurately describing the current installation. Labelling and identifying electrical systems also require this skill.

• Oral communication

  Strong oral communication skills are needed for construction electricians as they often need to relay messages, give directions, coordinate tasks with co-workers and discuss electrical code requirements with safety or building inspectors. They also regularly interact with supervisors, engineers, owners, architects, inspectors and other tradespersons to solve technical problems, to discuss work progress, and to ensure that work can meet scheduling and code requirements. They also exchange opinions with co- workers regarding critical safety issues related to complex installations.

• Numeracy

  Construction electricians use their numeracy skills to size and place electrical systems and components, ensuring that installations meet electrical code requirements. They take measurements and perform complex calculations using principles of mathematics such as geometry and trigonometry. Construction electricians also use numeracy skills to design or modify electrical installations.

• Thinking skills

  Construction electricians use thinking skills when they plan their work in order to ensure efficient use of time and resources. These skills also entail resolving issues such as system routing, and equipment placement and interconnection taking into account client specifications and code requirements.

  Additionally, these skills are called upon when consulting with other experienced tradespersons, manufacturers’ representatives or engineers to solve technical problems.

• Working with others

  Construction electricians often work with co-workers, other trades, supervisors, owner representatives, architects, engineers, inspectors and suppliers. They may be required to demonstrate how to perform a task to other workers, mentor and orient or train new employees. They also participate in discussions about work processes or product improvement.

• Digital technology

  Construction electricians use different types of hand-held digital devices such as thermal imaging and multimeters to aid in diagnosing system and component failure. They also use different types of software to interface with these devices. They use their computer skills to improve the efficiency of product research, communication, record keeping, job tracking and information exchange with co-workers, other trades, supervisors, owner representatives, architects, engineers, inspectors and suppliers.

• Continuous learning

  It is important for construction electricians to stay up-to-date with changing requirements of the electrical code or with changes in technology, such as computer controls. They must be adaptable to change to advance their skills and increase their knowledge. These learning skills are applied when attending classes offered through unions, employers and other groups.

• Previous
• Next