SKILLS IN ACTION
SKILLS IN ACTION (2017-2021) is a large national ES training project led by CBDC Restigouche in New Brunswick. The project is in development and is scheduled to be rolled out in various provinces in the Fall of 2019.
The goal of the SKILLS IN ACTION project is to increase the capacity of Canadian manufacturing sector employees to succeed at work by adapting to and meeting on-the-job demands.
The manufacturing sector is one of the most important sectors in the Canadian economy, employing 1.7 million people in a number of industries across the country. However, this sector is experiencing labour shortages that are expected to grow significantly with the aging population. To strengthen the manufacturing industry, ensure its growth, and allow it to innovate and be competitive on a global scale, the workers need to be highly skilled.
To address this issue, the Restigouche CBDC will contribute to strengthening workers’ skills and abilities to participate in continuous improvement initiatives, by providing an online training program developed specifically for the manufacturing sector. Training will be employer based (offered through 18 manufacturing businesses targeting of 360 worker) and 5 Employment Assistance Service Centres based.
A key component of the project is to establish 5 Employment Assistance Service Centres (EASC) will be led by partnering service providers located in each of the five participating provinces. These Employment Assistance Service Centres will recruit and train Indigenous peoples and immigrants wanting to work in the manufacturing industry with a main focus on Indigenous peoples.
PAUL CORMIER, Restigouche CBDC
506-753-3344
paul.cormier@cbdc.ca
41 water st. Campbellton New Brunswick
Initiative Impact
Employment Assistance Service Centres (EASC)
The target is to establish 5 Employment Assistance Service Centres who will recruit and deliver on line training to participants, with a target of 80% participants being Indigenous.
Employer Based Training
The target is to provide on line training through 18 manufacturing employers to 360 workers
Training outcomes
• To enhance the foundational literacy essential skills (i.e. Reading, Numeracy, and Document Use) of participants, to maximize their preparedness to learn other skills and adapt to changing demands within the manufacturing industry.
• To enhance the basic digital skills of participants, to help small businesses profit from new digital technologies and to increase participants’ confidence and capacities to engage in online training.
• To increase participants’ capacity to engage in continuous process and performance improvement practices. This training is designed for participants with Literacy skills level 3.
Incorporation of Essential Skills
This will be dependent on the EASC resources and services
Training component
Essential Thinking Skills: To increase participants capacity to engage in continuous process and performance improvement practices. This training is designed for
workers with Literacy skills level 3.
Literacy and Essential Skills: To enhance the foundational literacy essential skills (i.e. Reading, Numeracy, and Document Use) of participants, to maximize their preparedness to learn other skills and adapt to workplace changing demands.
Essential Workplace Digital Skills To enhance the basic digital skills of participants, to help small businesses profit from new digital technologies and to increase workers’ confidence and capacities to engage in online training.
For (EASC) staff
• Workplace Coach: Training program & tool designed to Train selected EASC staff in managing the Delivery of the Training programs to employees/participants and offer support to those participating in the training programs
• Training Planning; Tool to assess the EASC participant’s Training Needs and Develop personalized Training Plans
• Performance Monitoring: Tool to Monitor and Analyze Impact of Training
Various tools will be used, including but not limited to, the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) tool.
Project Components
The Main partners are Atlantic Canada Aerospace & Defence (ACADA), Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME), Bow Valley College, Collège Lionel-Groulx.
A National Advisory Committee, formed of manufacturing association representatives, as well as experts in essential skills, skills development, and strategic planning. Members provide direction and recommendations about the strategic dimensions of the project.
The National Collaborative Committee, formed of 20 Canadian manufacturing business representatives from a number of provinces. Members participate in identifying the content of the training program to ensure that it is developed based on the needs of the manufacturing sector.