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.

The 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 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. A link to the complete essential skills profile can be found at http://www.red-seal.ca/.

• Reading

  Glaziers require reading skills to gather information from forms and labels. They also need to read to understand more complex texts such as equipment and policy and procedure manuals, specifications, codes, standards, and safety regulations. They read bulletins and brochures from suppliers describing new products, parts and prices. They also refer to project specifications and work orders when planning a job.

• Document use

  Glaziers need to be able to locate and interpret information in several types of documents such as labels/stickers, posted signs, forms, lists, tables, and installation and delivery schedules. They also refer to a wide array of complex assembly drawings integrating text, drawings and actual components. This also includes creating sketches and drawings.

• Writing

  Writing skills are used by glaziers to write notes to themselves regarding work orders and customer requests. They may also write notes to request supplies and materials or write memos and letters to suppliers and manufacturers to request information on prices, equipment, parts or procedures. They may also write a quote or estimate that includes costs of labour to remove existing materials and install the new product, as well as costs of all materials. They also need to complete documents such as time sheets, shipping documents, purchase orders, invoices, job sheets and city permits.

• Oral communication

  Some tasks performed by glaziers require oral communication skills, including discussing safety issues, work schedules, materials and equipment with supervisors, contractors, building managers, customers, suppliers and other tradespeople. Glaziers may explain the fabrication, construction, installation and repair procedures to customers as well. They may also instruct others, such as an apprentice or a work crew, explaining and demonstrating procedures.

• Numeracy

  Numeracy skills are extremely important in the everyday work of glaziers. Substantial mathematical skills are used in taking measurements, doing material layout, using formulas and performing trade calculations such as geometry and trigonometry to calculate distances and angles. Glaziers may create project timelines, calculating time requirements for tasks in the project. They may also calculate amounts for supplies, estimates and overall costs.

• Thinking

  Glaziers solve problems in situations where work may be delayed due to equipment breakdowns, shortages of materials and work of other trades. They may perform modifications to project designs to correct flaws. They need the ability to think spatially and visualize in three dimensions. Problem solving and thinking sequentially are important skills in service, fabrication and installation activities. Glaziers need to be able to plan their work and organize tasks and materials.

• Working with others

  Glaziers may work independently or with partners or apprentices depending on the type of work they are performing. For example, frame fabricators often work alone while constructing frames, while installers will usually work with a partner or apprentice while installing windows. Glaziers must coordinate their work with many other co-workers, trades and suppliers. They see themselves as members of a team who work together to provide a quality service and product. Some glaziers supervise the work of apprentices and other journeypersons on larger jobs.

• Digital technology

  Glaziers use digital devices such as laptops, tablets, smartphones and two-way radios to communicate with others, record job changes and daily activities, track job progress, order materials, perform Internet research and perform word processing. They also use design software in their work. Highly technical layout devices such as laser 3D scanners and total stations require advanced digital skills.

• Continuous learning

  Glaziers are required to stay current with new products and materials. They refer to brochures or manuals from suppliers and apply the information on the job. They attend training by the manufacturer on how to use or install a new product. Glaziers also attend courses and orientations on safety procedures and the operation of equipment such as aerial work platforms and swing stages. They must also attend upgrading on topics such as layout, safety and rigging. On-the-job learning takes place continuously using methods such as safety meetings, toolbox talks and mentoring.