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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 three most highly advertised industries in Durham Region.

  • Essential Skills for Warehousing Industry Training
  • Essential Skills for Food & Beverage Industry Training
  • Essential Skills for Retail Industry Training

Discover a whole new way of learning!

  • Practice skills used on the job every day
  • Gain experience with technology such as Point-of-Sale Systems

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
  • Register for up to two free industry-specific certifications such as Smart Serve and Safe Food Handling

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

To apply, participants must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older.
  • Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents, 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

Note: While the employment certificates may be your primary goal for participating in our training, please be mindful that they are only a component of the training, and other content must be completed in order to progress to the certification.

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. Upon completion, you will also have the opportunity to complete Government of Ontario approved certifications relevant to the industry (Safe Food Handling & Smart Serve).

RETAIL INDUSTRY TRAINING

The Retail Industry training focuses on building and developing the knowledge and basic skills necessary to succeed in the retail industry. Our training provides you with an opportunity to build your interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with both customers and co-workers. This training will focus on increasing your literacy and numeracy skills in money math, cash handling, and customer service. You will also get hands-on experience using a Point-of-Sale system. Upon completion, you will also have the opportunity to complete Government of Ontario approved certifications relevant to the industry.

WAREHOUSING INDUSTRY TRAINING

Our Warehousing training focuses on the Essential Skills needed to work in the warehousing industry. This training focuses on how to complete complex industry related documents while also emphasizing the importance of teamwork and problem-solving. This training will increase your confidence and prepare you to work in the warehouse industry. Upon completion, you will also have the opportunity to complete Government of Ontario approved certifications relevant to the industry.

Currently, we are making improvements to our training. As a result, we do not have any current training scheduled. However, we are actively working on finalizing new training dates and locations. In the meantime, we are encouraging you to complete our online application (see Essential Skills Registration tab), to be added to our priority list for future training. We appreciate your patience and look forward to assisting you soon.

DIGITAL SKILLS FOR EMPLOYMENT TRAINING

The Digital Skills for Employment training is designed to build your skills and knowledge in commonly used software required for employment. You can choose to improve your skills in Microsoft Office, Google Drive, Windows, video conferencing programs, e-mail, and the internet. An Essential Skills Facilitator will work with you to create a personalized training plan that reflects your unique goals. Laptops will be supplied for use. If you have limited experience with computers, this training is for you!

Currently, we are making improvements to our training. As a result, we do not have any current training scheduled. In the meantime, you may want to consider our Academic Upgrading ACE Computer Foundations course. For more information, please complete our Academic Upgrading application form.

  • Next training available at The Learning Hub at Durham Community Health Centre, 115 Grassmere Ave., Oshawa, ON, Monday, Dec. 2 to Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily

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.

  • Next Workshop: November 4th – 15th at the Durham College Community Employment Resource Centre at 289 Kin Street East, Unit #4 in Bowmanville, ON

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