Essential Skills Training

Durham College’s Essential Skills training is short-term targeted training to assist you in gaining the necessary skills to obtain employment for jobs in demand in Durham Region. This training is flexible, personalized, and supportive to help you prepare to meet the needs and challenges of your future employment goals. Funded by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development of Ontario (MLITSD) as part of Employment Ontario’s Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) program, all training is completely free of charge and designed to align with the Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework (OALCF) while providing learning opportunities that are task-based and applicable to real-world situations.

ARE YOU LOOKING TO improve YOUR SKILLS to gain employment?

Join us for FREE training designed to help you gain the skills you need to find and keep a job in one of the most highly advertised industries in Durham Region.

Essential Skills for Warehousing Industry
Essential Skills for Food & Beverage Industry
Essential Skills for Administrative Assistance

Discover a whole new way of learning!

Practice skills used on the job every day
Gain experience with technology

Upon successful completion of the training, you will:

Receive a Durham College micro credential that you can share on your resume and/or LinkedIn page
Get connected with a community employment service that will help you write your resume and practice interview skills

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

To apply, participants must:

Be 18 years of age or older.
Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents, or Refugees, residing in Ontario.
Have a valid Social Insurance Number.
Have the necessary English Literacy & Numeracy skills to succeed in a classroom learning environment.

CURRENT TRAINING SCHEDULE

FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY TRAINING

The Food Service Industry training focuses on building and developing the knowledge and basic skills necessary to succeed in the food & beverage industry. Considering both front and back-of-house (dining room and kitchen), this training will focus on the most commonly used reading and math skills, the ability to find and use information, and will develop your awareness of how to effectively work with others. You will also get hands-on experience using a Point-of-Sale system.

Apr 6 – 17, 2026: Durham Region Unemployed Help Centre | 272 King Street East, Oshawa

May 18 – 29, 2026: YMCA | 3000 Garden Street, Unit #100A, Whitby

WAREHOUSING INDUSTRY TRAINING

Our Warehousing training focuses on the Essential Skills needed to work in the warehousing industry. This course is designed to help you develop essential skills that will increase your confidence and prepare you for securing new employment. The training focuses on building transferable skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and effective communication, which are crucial for success in the warehouse industry and beyond. By the end of this course, you’ll be ready to transition into a new role with the confidence and skills needed to thrive.

Nov 17 – 28, 2026: Pickering Welcome Centre | 1410 Bayly Street, Unit #3, Pickering

Feb 24 – Mar 6, 2026: Durham Community Health Centre | 115 Grassmere Avenue, Oshawa

Essential Skills and Employment Preparation

The Essential Skills for Employment Preparation training is designed to build the skills that employers are looking for and provide knowledge for your job search. Your technical skills may get you the job, but your people skills are what helps you maintain it. In this workshop we cover both of these skill sets by giving you the opportunity to learn about and practice them. We look at topics including your workplace rights, how to get into the trades in Ontario and practice using a cash register. We also brush up on other skills useful in navigating the increasingly complex workplace.

Jan 12 – 23, 2026: Agilec | 250 Bayly Street West, Unit #19, Ajax

Essential Skills For Administrative Assistance

This workshop is a comprehensive, hands-on training program designed to prepare adult learners for entry-level administrative and clerical roles. Developed through community-based literacy organizations, the curriculum focuses on building foundational workplace competencies such as communication, digital literacy, document use, customer service, numeracy, and organizational skills. Through practical modules—including email etiquette, in-person and phone communication, typing and filing, and technology use—participants enhance both their technical and interpersonal abilities. The course also integrates personal reflection and self-assessment tools, encouraging learners to identify their strengths, set goals, and grow in confidence. Emphasizing accessibility and real-world relevance, the program equips learners with transferable skills that support both immediate employment and lifelong learning.

Feb 24, 2026 – Mar 6, 2026: Durham Region Unemployed Help Centre | 272 King Street East, Oshawa

Apr 6 – 17, 2026: VPI Employment Services | 289 Kingston Road East, Unit #2, Ajax