Skills for success (Essential Skills) summary

Skills for Success are needed in a quickly changing world for work, learning and life. They are foundational for building other skills and important for effective social interaction. Everyone benefits from having these skills as they help individuals get a job, progress at their current job and change jobs. They also help individuals become active members of their community and succeed in learning.

Through extensive research and consultations, the Government of Canada launched the new Skills for Success model renewing the previous Essential Skills framework to better reflect the needs of the current and future labour market.

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 Skills for Success.

• Adaptability

  Strong adaptability skills help oil heat system technicians deal effectively with change and to learn new skills and behaviours when needed, stay focused on their responsibilities and goals, and not give up when situations are difficult. Oil heat system technicians use this skill to change work plans to meet new deadlines, learn how to work with new tools, adapt to changing technologies and improve their skills through feedback. These skills help them stay positive and manage the stress that can come from changes in the workplace.

• Collaboration

  Modern workplaces are more diverse, and oil heat system technicians may often work with other tradespeople from different backgrounds and cultures to complete tasks and solve problems. It is important to be able to work respectfully with people who have different professions, experiences, cultures, and backgrounds.

  Collaboration skills help oil heat system technicians perform better in a team by understanding how to support and value others, manage difficult interactions and contribute to the team’s work. Strong collaboration skills help oil heat system technicians build and maintain positive relationships with others at work.

• Communication

  Oil heat system technicians communicate with other tradespeople to coordinate the installation, maintenance and service of oil-fired domestic and commercial appliances, equipment, components and systems. They interact with clients to identify system requirements and to obtain problem descriptions. They may also call suppliers to order parts, speak with manufacturers’ representatives to obtain technical information and engineers to discuss design specifications. They may also interact with jurisdictional officials to discuss compliance with regulations.

• Creativity and Innovation

  Creativity and innovation skills help oil heat system technicians come up with new, unique, or “outside the box” ideas or to approach something differently than in the past. A curious mindset that finds inspiration from a broad range of experiences and perspectives helps develop creativity and innovation skills. With strong creativity and innovation skills, oil heat system technicians can also support and inspire others to develop their own creativity and innovation.

• Digital

  Oil heat system technicians adjust parameters on automated control systems. They use remote access and on-board functions to monitor and diagnose problems. Oil heat system technicians use electronic instruments for diagnosis. They may use software, electronic devices and the Internet during their work.

• Numeracy

  Oil heat system technicians use numeracy in a range of tasks. For example, they measure lengths of ducting and piping. They calculate areas and volumes of ducting and piping assemblies to meet operating specifications. When designing and sizing oil-fired systems, they perform heat load and heat loss calculations. They use diagnostic and measurement tools to troubleshoot and verify the proper operation of equipment. They compare equipment temperature and pressure trend graphs to equipment specifications and operating parameters to monitor systems. They also estimate time and material costs.

• Problem-solving

  Oil heat system technicians require problem-solving skills to identify, analyze, propose solutions, and make decisions. The ability to think, make decisions, and solve problems effectively improves the way oil heat system technicians carry out activities and meet goals and deadlines at work.

• Reading

  Oil heat system technicians read a variety of materials including codes, regulations, technical bulletins, manufacturers’ specifications and manuals to obtain detailed information on equipment installation and troubleshooting procedures. They read maintenance and service logs to ensure that the correct piece of equipment is being installed or maintained according to client requirements, and to learn about the equipment history. They may also refer to wholesaler catalogues to assist in the selection and ordering of parts and equipment.

• Writing

  Oil heat system technicians update logbooks and complete written documents such as service reports, work orders, correspondence, warranty claim forms, permits, and legislated and company documents. They may prepare sketches and update as-built drawings.

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