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 summary presented here is based on existing Essential Skills profiles and will be updated to align with the new Skills for Success model over time.

• Reading

  Plumbers require strong reading skills to consult installation procedures, reference manuals, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), the National Plumbing Code (NPC) and industry standards and safety requirements when installing, repairing and maintaining plumbing fixtures and systems. They also refer to project specifications and work orders when planning a job.

• Document Use

  Document use is important in the work of plumbers. Plumbers use the NPC to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. They interpret specifications, diagrams, schematics and working drawings when planning the installation of piping systems. Plumbers read assembly drawings to install fixtures and appliances. They prepare sketches and drawings to plan a job.

• Writing

  Writing skills are used by plumbers to perform tasks such as preparing estimates, writing lists of materials required for a job, completing order forms to request materials, and keeping daily logs to track work status and reminders. When required, they must write incident or accident reports. They may be required to communicate in writing to other trade professionals such as engineers and architects.

• Oral Communication

  Plumbers require good oral communication skills to interact with colleagues, apprentices, supervisors, suppliers, inspectors, clients and other tradespersons when co-ordinating work, resolving problems and ensuring safety.

• Numeracy

  Plumbers work in both imperial and metric systems of measurement. They locate and mark positions for pipe connections. They perform a variety of calculations such as offsets, drain line fall, hydraulic load, and temperature and pressure calculations depending on the type of piping system being installed. Plumbers estimate materials and supplies needed to complete a project. They may estimate labour requirements and prepare quotations and invoices.

• Thinking Skills

  Plumbers diagnose and solve problems. They decide on work priorities and plan and organize their work accordingly. Plumbers may determine the most cost-effective way to use materials and supplies when installing plumbing and heating systems.

• Working with Others

  During the course of a work day, plumbers must interact with others such as co-workers, suppliers, clients and other tradespeople.

• Digital Technology

  Plumbers use computers and other digital devices to access resource information, communication and cost reporting. They are also used as a tool for design, layout, research, system diagnosis and estimating.

• Continuous Learning

  Changes to the NPC occur periodically to modify procedures and methods for the design and installation of piping systems. Advances in technology are also changing the design, applications, materials, and tools and equipment used in the installation of systems. There is an increased emphasis on worker health and safety. All these changes mean that related training and certification is often mandatory for both apprentices and journeypersons.

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