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.
A series of CCDA-endorsed tools have been developed to support apprentices in their training and to be better prepared for a career in the trades. The tools can be used independently or with the assistance of a tradesperson, trainer, employer, teacher or mentor to:
- understand how essential skills are used in the trades;
- learn about individual essential skills strengths and areas for improvement; and
- improve essential skills and increase success in an apprenticeship program.
Tools are available online or for order at: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/essential-skills/profiles.html.
The application of these skills may be described throughout this document within the competency statements which support each subtask of the trade. The following are summaries of the requirements in each of the essential skills, taken from the essential skills profile. A link to the complete essential skills profile can be found at: www.red-seal.ca.
Reading
Cooks read a variety of documents such as cookbooks, recipes, manuals and banquet event orders (BEO). With regard to health and safety information, they use notices, food recalls or allergy alerts and other food safety information. Cooks read warnings and instructions written on signs, labels and packaging. Cooks may also read trade publications to learn about food service and hospitality trends and technological advances in commercial kitchens. They may read legal agreements such as contracts and confidentiality agreements.
Document use
Cooks scan labels on product packaging to locate data such as cooking times, potential allergens and ingredients. They interpret safety data sheets (SDS), safety symbols and icons. Cooks locate information and data found in a variety of tables pertaining to work schedules, food orders, cooking times, quantities of food, logs, invoices and costs. Equipment manuals are used to instruct on proper use, cleaning and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Writing
Cooks write reminders and notes to co-workers to explain changes in meal preparation routines and food safety procedures. They may also write instructions about specific delivery and handling of food or write brief comments on recipes about cooking times or changes in ingredients. Cooks may write incident reports or requests for equipment upgrades. They write sign-in and sign-out sheets and daily logs to record temperature tracking and sanitation sign offs. Prep sheets are written with daily tasks and routines, identified completions and inventory information. It is important that cooks accurately label and date products for storage.
Oral communication
Cooks discuss work assignments with co-workers. They speak with consumers to take orders, and discuss their opinions on recipes and meals. Cooks may make product suggestions and participate in product development meetings. Cooks may explain procedures and safety protocols to kitchen and food servers. They may participate in interdepartmental meetings to harmonize the operations of the organization. They may provide mentoring and coaching to other members of the brigade.
Numeracy
Cooks measure and convert weight and volume of ingredients between imperial and metric systems. They calculate ingredient quantities when modifying recipes. Cooks estimate the yield of bulk items to determine the number of servings. They estimate the time required to prepare food and organize their tasks to meet deadlines. Cooks may calculate the cost of menu items and inventory.
Thinking
Cooks may choose ingredients and decide how to modify recipes and food preparation practices to meet consumers’ requirements. They must also assess the quality, appearance and taste of the food they produce. Cooks decide the order of food preparation and housekeeping tasks. To ensure a smooth workflow and maximum efficiency, they may plan tasks, and review and modify work priorities and deadlines on a regular basis. Cooks coordinate their work with other co-workers. They are required to problem solve on the fly and to work under pressure. They think strategically about issues such as quality, profitability and sustainability.
Digital technology
Cooks may use calculators to complete tasks such as cost or ingredient calculation. They may use hardware (tablets, laptops, smartphones, etc.) and software or databases to monitor inventory of ingredients and supplies, to place orders, to input or retrieve recipes, take table reservations and to write memos, reports and digital logging. Cooks use digitally controlled kitchen equipment to prepare food. They may use digital technology to seek and offer advice and to access training courses and seminars offered by suppliers, associations or employers. They regularly use the Internet to post and search for recipes, trends, inspiration and information related to cooking.
Working with others
Cooks usually work within an integrated team that may include other cooks, chefs, kitchen staff, stewards, servers and management. Cooks must work with each member of the team at all times to ensure operations run smoothly. They coordinate their activities with others to ensure optimum use of time, work space, food supplies and equipment. They also work with outside personnel such as vendors, delivery people, inspectors and contractors.
Continuous learning
Cooks should stay abreast of trade trends. To advance in the trade, they need to access a variety of resources such as professional associations, seminars, core training sessions, food supplier demonstrations, trade shows and workshops. They may participate in events such as community activities, conferences and cooking competitions.