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/tools.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.

• Reading

  Landscape horticulturists require reading skills to review work-related documents such as site plans, work orders, contracts, purchase orders, safety documents, product directions and specifications, promotional materials and technical manuals. They may also read trade publications, catalogues, scientific articles and papers, regulations and building codes.

• Document use

  Landscape horticulturists refer to drawings, photographs, contracts, plans (grading, lighting, irrigation, planting and drainage), tables, regulations and other technical information related to their trade. They may also interpret scaled drawings of landscape designs and detail drawings, and refer to schematics and specifications for various systems. Formats of these documents may be digital or paper.

• Writing

  Writing skills are used by landscape horticulturists to compose letters or e-mails to clients, contractors and colleagues, and to accurately record information such as safety, maintenance and production information. Landscape horticulturists write reports and articles covering topics such as damaged or diseased trees, shrubs, plants, turfgrass and hardscape elements.

• Oral Communication

  Oral communication is a very important skill for landscape horticulturists. A substantial amount of communication is done in order to exchange information, instruct, convey knowledge and to coordinate work with others. They talk to clients about plant care, landscape design, maintenance and practices. They speak with other professionals including suppliers, landscape architects, architects and engineers to coordinate projects.

• Numericy

  Landscape horticulturists use numeracy skills to perform calculations and measurements such as site areas, distance, volumes, product application rates and slope. They also perform calculations related to estimating production schedules, material quantity take-offs, and labour rates. They also calibrate equipment such as spreaders and sprayers. They may calculate financial transactions such as purchasing and sales.

• Thinking

  Decision-making and critical thinking skills are required to determine how to allocate tasks associated with activities such as plant care, environmental protection, and selection of plant species, products and practices. Planning and organizing skills are used to coordinate and organize tasks with others involved in the process. Landscape horticulturists need to comprehend, interpret and apply safety documentation and regulations. Landscape horticulturists need to be able to problem-solve when performing their work.

• Digital Technology

  Landscape horticulturists use computers and other digital devices when researching and documenting horticultural information. They may also use applications for communication, word processing, labeling, spreadsheets, databases and global positioning systems (GPS). They may use design, estimating, accounting and inventory software. They may use management software that incorporates electronic time sheets, real-time job data and inventory control. Digital controls may be used for irrigation and lighting systems.

• Working with others

  Landscape horticulturists coordinate work with others, including supervisors, architects, clients, homeowners, surveyors, engineers, bylaw officers, contractors, landscape architects and other landscape horticulturists. Landscape horticulturists mentor other employees and work collaboratively.

• Continuous Learning

  Landscape horticulturists are required to stay up-to-date on landscaping and horticultural information and practices. They must be aware of regulatory requirements such as environmental protection and conservation, zoning and bylaws. Landscape horticulturists are governed by the regulatory bodies in the jurisdiction in which they practice. They may be required to participate in professional development through continuous education and maintain their industry-related certifications.

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