SKILLSMARKER (formerly Essential Skills for Employment and Education — ESEE) is a web application created to assess and build an individual’s skills in reading, writing, numeracy, problem-solving, listening and digital competency — foundational skills upon which other skills are built.

Teachers, employers and training organizations are using SKILLSMARKER to identify and address skill gaps, compare skill levels to occupational requirements and customize training materials. Since SKILLSMARKER was launched in 2012 more than 350,000 assessments have been completed.

SKILLSMARKER has a number of features for those requiring support, including a built-in vocabulary builder that provides written and audio definitions of some words and phrases.

SKILLSMARKER has supports for those who are deaf and hard of hearing, including 186 American Sign Language (ASL) videos.

Skills are measured on the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) 0-500 point scale and Employment and Social Development Canada’s (ESDC’s) 5-level scale. The assessments are also aligned with the Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework (OALCF).

Each time a client completes an assessment, a customized result report is generated. It provides test scores and a description of the types of tasks the client can likely do, or not do, based on their results. SKILLSMARKER generates an individualized Learning Activities plan that provides trainers and clients with useful learning resources available online and free-of-charge. SKILLSMARKER also allows test administrators to group clients into cohorts for reporting and evaluation.

Recently, the SKILLSMARKER platform was modified by building in a unique, front-end client sorting system. Through the use of a locator pre-test, the system can now automatically stream clients to the assessment version best suited to their abilities or, in cases where clients demonstrate very low skills, document their exemption.

The SKILLSMARKER web application is managed by the CSC. For more information, visit: https://en.esee.essentialskillsgroup.com/

SKILLSMARKER for Ontario’s Tradespeople, also known as Essential Skills for Ontario’s Tradespeople (ESOT) is a web application developed to help people in Ontario seeking apprenticeships.

Using SKILLSMARKER for Ontario’s Tradespeople, clients can:

• research essential skills for 53 Red Seal trades;
• take online assessments to see how their skills measure up; and
• build their skills with customized learning plans using free online learning materials.

Studies show that apprentices are eight times more likely to succeed in the trades if they have the essential skills they need. SKILLSMARKER helps them build those skills.

The SKILLSMARKER for Ontario’s Tradespeople web application is managed by the CSC.

For more information, visit: https://en.esot.essentialskillsgroup.com/