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: Skills for Success – Assessment and training tools.

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

  Sprinkler fitters read texts such as short descriptions and directions on labels for products. They read bulletins, manuals, work orders, reports and procedures when installing, operating, diagnosing, maintaining, inspecting and repairing equipment. They also read emails and memos from supervisors, co-workers and suppliers about ongoing work.

• Document Use

  Sprinkler fitters scan and locate data on labels, lists, tables and schedules. They reference applicable codes such as National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and National Building Code (NBC).They may interpret graphs when monitoring equipment operation. They interpret or review schematics and engineered drawings of systems (pneumatic, mechanical, electrical, structural and hydraulic) to identify malfunctions. Sprinkler fitters may also retrieve and study data from scale drawings to identify and verify the location of equipment to be installed. They also complete forms such as test certificates, safety documents, purchase orders, inspection reports, maintenance forms, logbooks, time sheets and work orders.

• Writing

  Sprinkler fitters write brief text entries in logbooks and in forms. They may write maintenance, repair and safe work procedures. Sprinkler fitters write emails to supervisors and co-workers about ongoing work, and suppliers about equipment specifications. They also write incident reports and update drawings as required.

• Oral Communication

  Sprinkler fitters talk to suppliers, engineers, contractors, co-workers, supervisors, other tradespersons and clients and members of the public about equipment specifications, access, orders, and delivery and service times. They discuss work orders, equipment malfunctions and job task coordination with co-workers. They also discuss safety, productivity, and procedural and policy changes at meetings with co-workers, supervisors, engineers and clients.

• Numeracy

  Sprinkler fitters measure various physical properties of equipment. Calculations are required in multiple aspects of the sprinkler fitter trade, such as pneumatic, mechanical, structural and hydraulic systems. They calculate distances, totals, maximums, minimums, tolerances, fits and quantities required. They may calculate loads, capacities, speeds, velocities, flows and dimensions for mechanical components and systems. They perform calculations in order to adjust, level and align equipment according to specifications, and for diagnosing process variables. Sprinkler fitters assess weights and distances appropriate for rigging, hoisting, lifting and moving equipment.

• Thinking

  Thinking skills are critical to the sprinkler fitter trade. They need the ability to adapt on a day to-day basis to site conditions, design, fabrication and installation issues, safety concerns, performance and productivity goals. They may assess the feasibility of designs for small modifications to fire protection systems, ensuring that designs meet technical specifications, performance requirements and jurisdictional regulations. Sprinkler fitters also troubleshoot fire protection systems to determine service requirements.

• Digital Technology

  Sprinkler fitters may use databases to perform queries on maintenance history, regulatory items and procedures. They may also enter data from completed work orders in a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). They may use programs to aid in the adjustment of drawings with computer-assisted design (CAD) and building information modelling (BIM) software. Sprinkler fitters use hand-held computerized alignment and levelling measurement tools. They may use word processing software to write, edit and format texts such as incident reports and maintenance procedures. They may access work orders, asset information and documents on tablets, phones and other electronic devices.

• Working with Others

  Sprinkler fitters are required to work independently, with other sprinkler fitters, other tradespeople and personnel from other departments and jurisdictional organizations depending on the scope of the work.

• Continuous Learning

  Sprinkler fitters read manuals and trade-related documents to stay up to date on developments in their trade. They also attend training sessions (online or classroom-based) on new technologies, equipment and safety procedures. In addition, they learn informally by exchanging information with co-workers and suppliers.

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