Skills for Success Service Model

Through the innovative Skills for Success (SFS) service model, a library of 55 eLearning courses, both short- and long-form, were developed across the nine SFS domains. This diverse catalogue allows job-seeking candidates to select courses tailored to their unique learning and skill development needs. Through the development and implementation of this service model, the uptake of courses and candidate feedback was monitored. Courses that most resonated with candidates were selected to be fine-tuned and translated into French, American Sign Language, and Langue des Signes Québécoise, making them accessible to a wider audience.

CCRW employs a holistic and personalized approach to service. Candidates meet with dedicated coaches and work closely with them to identify supports and services that best meet their unique needs. Together, they determine candidates’ strengths and areas for growth and develop personalized training plans and Employment Action Plans. These plans outline meaningful steps to help candidates reach their employment goals and are adjusted as needed throughout their journey. Through CCRW, job-seeking candidates have access to a wide array of tools and resources to support their professional development and employment journeys, including accommodation assessments, accessibility consultation, job boards and assessments, and tailored wrap-around supports. Through the SFS Service Model, candidates had access to the full eLearning catalogue, with options for in-person learning and support, as well as group or peer-to-peer learning.

Please view our Skills for Success Infographic highlights here: SFS Service Model - Highlights

What are the Skills for Success?

The Skills for Success (SFS) are nine essential, transferable skills identified by Employment and Social Development Canada as crucial for thriving in the workplace, educational settings, and life overall. Building on the former Essential Skills model, the SFS framework focuses on the following skills: Numeracy, Reading, Writing, Digital Literacy, Problem-solving, Collaboration, Communication, Adaptability, and Creativity & Innovation. These skills are the foundation for personal and professional growth, enabling individuals to navigate the workplace and other areas of life[1].

Making an Impact

Through SFS Service model job-seeking candidates were able to gain confidence, feel more prepared for the workforce, and gain critical skills to support their careers and employment journeys. The impact of this service model had a far reach, serving over 500 candidates. Through the SFS service model, CCRW reached a diverse pool of candidates. Of the candidates engaged in the service model:

• 43% were women, 53% were men, and 5% preferred to self-described their gender
• 5% identified as 2SLGBTQIA+
• 29% identified as a member of a visible minority group, 6% identified as Black Canadians or new immigrants, and 5% identified as Indigenous

Prior to service, 44% of candidates reported experiencing prolonged detachment from the workforce, meaning they were out of work for at least 6 months. The SFS Service model addressed the underemployment of people with disabilities by equipping candidates with essential skills and supports for their employment journeys, with 81% of candidates improving skills in at least one of the nine SFS domains.

Candidates gained skills across all SFS skill domains with the most improvement seen in Creativity & Innovation (up 24.9 percentage points), Writing (up 23 percentage points), and Problem Solving (up 20.5 percentage points).

The most popular skill domains for candidates were Communication, Writing, and Adaptability. Since the number of courses varies across different domains—with some, like Communication, offering up to 15 courses, and others, like Creativity and Innovation, offering only 3—results for popularity are weighted to provide a more accurate representation of which skill domains are the most popular.

What do Employers and Community Partners Think about the Skills for Success?

CCRW engaged with stakeholders, including employers and community partners, to learn about their perceptions and understanding of the SFS. Employers reported that the skills they were most interested in were Adaptability, Collaboration, and Communication, while Community Partners were most interested in Collaboration, Adaptability, and Creativity & Innovation.

In addition to skill growth, candidates engaged in the SFS Model reported positive impacts on their confidence. After working with CCRW, 80% of candidates felt more confident about getting an interview. Candidates also rated their confidence in interviewing before and after engagement, from 1 (not confident) to 5 (completely confident). The number of candidates who felt completely confident increased from 9% to 26%, showing that CCRW helped boost their confidence. Candidates also reported feeling more prepared to complete tasks related to finding a job, including resume and cover letter writing and interviewing skills. Prior to engagement in the SFS service model, a majority of candidates (49%) reported they were “somewhat” prepared to perform tasks related to looking for work, while after engagement the majority of candidates (51%) reported that they felt “very prepared.” We also asked candidates if CCRW helped them learn about accommodation options and about job roles that would be a good fit for them. Over 70% of candidates shared that the CCRW team helped them learn about these topics!

The SFS Service Model moved the needle toward inclusive employment, as nearly 200 jobseekers reported securing employment upon completing their engagement in services.

Below is some of the feedback candidates have shared with CCRW about their experience with SFS and whether their unique needs have been met:

As someone who identifies as a woman, do you feel that CCRW is meeting your unique needs so far?

“Yes. I felt that they do meet the needs quite well. I am so glad I have this group of people in my life.”

As a member of a Visible Minority Group, do you feel that CCRW is meeting your unique needs so far?

“CCRW helped me to feel more confident about my possibilities to move forward and reach my goals.”

As a Permanent Resident, do you feel that CCRW is meeting your unique needs so far?

“Yes. I feel like I have gotten tons of support from them to complete my jobs at work and keep my current job.”

Skills for Success Playbook

Insights gained through the implementation of the SFS Service Model were used to develop CCRW’s Coaching the Skills for Success Playbook. The Playbook shares the knowledge and experiences of frontline staff to provide actionable tips and emerging practices for community partners, practitioners, or employers looking to implement SFS training tailored towards jobseekers and workers with disabilities. To view the playbook in English click here!  For French: Click here

References

[1] Government of Canada (2023, June 2). Learn About the Skills. Employment and Social Development Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/training/initiatives/skills-success/understanding-individuals.ht