FIMESIP First Nations, Inuit and Métis Essential Skills Inventory Project

Essential Skills at Work in the North

The Northwest Territories Literacy Council has developed an interactive learning tool titled Essential Skills at Work in the North. The tool is designed to help northerners learn what it takes to succeed in various jobs.
By clicking various posters on a unique, online display board, visitors can learn information about each job that is outlined, the training and background required for each, and the skills needed to do the work successfully. The job profiles also include information about how essential skills are used in each position. The facilitator manuals have extended learning activities based on each profile.

Fifteen professions common in NWT communities are featured in in the online tool and the print resources. People currently in the roles discussed the journey they took to the job, and the essential skills they use each day. There are three print based manuals, and an online interactive tool, all with teaching and learning activities.

Occupations covered include Early Childhood Educator, Underground Miner, Heavy Equipment Operator, Administrative Assistant/ Family Literacy Trainee, Starting Your Own Business, Trapper, Nursing, Community Health Representative, Aboriginal Language Teacher, Renewable Resources Officer, Environmental Monitor, Recreation Worker, Home Support Worker, Public Works seasonal staff

Location Northwest Territories
Download project details
Download PDF
website https://www.nwtliteracy.ca/
Contact

Helen Balanoff, NWT Literacy Council
867-873-9262
helen@nwtliteracy.ca
PO Box 761, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2N6

Project Details
Community Urban, Rural, Remote, Band office, Reserve community
Scope of Project Provincial / Territorial
Target Audience First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Youth (15-30 yrs), Adults (31-49 yrs)

Initiative Impact

What is the overall impact of the initiative and how is this measured?

The website is available to all. Manuals were provided to a variety of groups, and are also available for download by anyone from the web site.

Outcomes are measured through an evaluation feedback form, participant self-assessment, and surveys among adult educators.

What challenges have you faced and how were these overcome?

Problems with band width. Remote communities cannot always access the online tool

What are 3 key lessons you learned from developing or delivering your initiative? What advice from those lessons would you share with others?

Using people that are known in the communities is a real motivator to get people to read/follow the articles.
The technology we used is a bit dated now, but considerable work would be involved to transfer the information.
We had planned on doing only one resource but the demand for more required us to be flexible and seek more funding.

Incorporation of Essential Skills

Which Essential Skills are covered by the initiative? Reading Text Document Use Numeracy Writing Oral Communications Working with Others Thinking Skills Computer Use Continuous Learning

Project Components

What are the components of the initiative? Academic upgrading Life skills Career and/or educational planning Cultural, language, and tradition awareness and/or training
How was Indigenous culture integrated into the program content or delivery?

Indigenous culture is not integrated in to the resources per se, but Most of the people featured are Indigenous.

What do you think are the most important competencies and attributes for staff involved in this initiative to have?

Knowledge of northern communities.

Who are your partners, and what is their involvement in the initiative?

Aurora College