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What is TOWES?

Across Canada, employers, educators, labour organizations and governments are working together to ensure that Canadians have the essential skills needed for higher skill, higher pay jobs.

TOWES (Test of Workplace Essential Skills) is an effective assessment that uses authentic workplace documents to accurately measure three essential skills that are needed for safe and productive employment: Reading Text, Document Use, and Numeracy.

TOWES is significantly different from other skills assessments. Test takers must assume the role of a worker and use information imbedded in authentic documents to solve real problems. Some of the documents used include, catalogues, order forms, labels, and schematics. TOWES also has tests that represent a full range of essential skill levels needed in the Canadian workplace. To view a sample TOWES test booklet, click here.

What are Essential Skills?
Essential skills are the skills needed to carry out a wide variety of everyday tasks. They are not the technical skills required by a particular job, rather they are the skills applied in all occupations. For example, writing skills are required in a broad range of jobs, however the complexity and frequency of writing varies. Some workers fill out simple forms every day, while others write daily or monthly reports.

Essential Skills tested by TOWES
Reading Text - the ability to understand and use information contained in prose passages.
Document Use - the skills and knowledge needed to understand and use information from documents such as tables, catalogs, maps, and scale drawings.
Numeracy - the ability to understand and use numerical information embedded in print.

In general, essential skills:

  1. Help people perform the tasks required by their occupation and other activities of daily life.
  2. Provide people with a foundation to learn other skills.
  3. Enhance people's ability to adapt to change.

TOWES test results are correlated to scales used by Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) Canada's National Occupational Classifications, and the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS).

To support the development of essential skills, the creators of TOWES have developed curriculum and training plans designed to address skill gaps. TOWES training can be delivered in a variety of ways including classroom, one-on-one tutoring, independent study, and via the Internet. Content is specifically designed and tested for adult learners who would like higher skill, higher pay jobs.

To practice your skills, please visit the Measure Up! website. To learn more about training, please visit the Essential Skills Training section of this website, or contact TOWES directly.

Page Updated: Friday, August 03, 2007