TOWES Marketing Materials

Greetings,

The TOWES team and I are very happy to share a valuable marketing and communications resource with you. Over the years, we have received many requests from our distributors and various organizations for marketing materials that can be easily distributed and reproduced. Well it’s fi nally here!

These materials include overviews of TOWES Assessments, Workplace Training Solutions, Case Studies as well as additional resources. We have posted our marketing materials on the TOWES website in order to meet fl uctuating demands and provide you with improved accessibility. The marketing materials are completely free of charge and we encourage you to download and reproduce as many as you require.

Thank you for your continued support. We hope that you fi nd them most helpful and we look forward to getting your feedback!

Sincerely,

Conrad MurphyDirector of TOWES, Bow Valley College

TOWES is the sole property of Bow Valley College and is sold through authorized distributors only.

345 6 Avenue SE Calgary, Alberta T2G 4V1 p: 403.410.3200 f: 403.297.4070 [email protected] www.towes.com

Marketing MaterialsMarketing

Materia

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Copyright & Disclaimer

Copyright and Permission to ReproduceThe materials on the site are protected by the Copyright Act. Except as noted in the Terms of Use below, none of the materials may be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitt ed in any form or by any means, without the prior writt en consent of the TOWES Department, Bow Valley College, or the original creator, where applicable.

Terms of Use — Educati onal and/or Non-Commercial or Reproducti onThe informati on has been posted with the intent that it be readily available for personal and public non-commercial, educati onal use and except where otherwise prohibited, may be reproduced, in part or in whole and by any means, without charge or further permission from the TOWES Department, Bow Valley College.

Users must ensure: • materials are not modifi ed. • users exercise due diligence in ensuring the accuracy of the materials. • that Bow Valley College is identi fi ed as the source of the materials. • the reproducti on is not represented as an offi cial version of the materials reproduced, nor as having been made in affi liati on with or with the endorsement of Bow Valley College.

This does not grant permission to reproduce confi denti al informati on, such as test results, through the secure porti on of the TOWES website.

Terms of Use – Commercial Reproducti onReproducti on of multi ple copies of materials on the site, in whole or in part, for the purposes of commercial distributi on is prohibited, except with writt en permission from Bow Valley College. To obtain permission to reproduce materials on this site for commercial purposes, please contact TOWES.

Trademarks and Offi cial MarksAll trademarks used and/or displayed on this website are registered trademarks of Bow Valley College. Nothing on this website should be interpreted to grant any licence to use any trademark or offi cial mark without the express writt en permission from the TOWES Department, Bow Valley College.

For further informati on related to Copyright and Reprinti ng TOWES website materials contact: TOWES, Bow Valley College 332 6th Avenue SE Calgary AB T2G 4S6 Att n: TOWES Department (403) 410-3200, [email protected]


345 6 Avenue SE Calgary,Alberta T2G 4V1 p:403.410.3200 f:403.297.4070 [email protected] www.towes.com

Copyright & ReprintUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services/ © 2012, TOWES, Bow Valley College

ed distributors only



IndexUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services © 2012, TOWES, Bow Valley College

Index

Marketi ng materials are available for download at

www.towes.com

General Informati on

Assessment

Workplace Training Soluti ons

Case Studies

Additi onal Resources

zed distributors only

70

TOWES Overview What is TOWESAcross Canada, employers, educators, industry and government are working together to ensure that Canadians have the Essenti al Skills needed for full parti cipati on in the labour market and community life.

TOWES - the Test Of Workplace Essenti al Skills off ers valid, reliable and eff ecti ve assessments, curriculum and training support for organizati ons and individuals looking to assess and improve Essenti al Skills.

What are Essenti al SkillsEssenti al Skills are the skills needed to carry out everyday tasks for work, learning and life. They are not the technical skills required by a parti cular job; they are the skills applied in all occupati ons.

Essenti al Skills:

• help us to perform the tasks required by our occupati on and other acti viti es of daily life. • provide us with a foundati on to learn other skills. • enhance our ability to adapt to change.

There are 9 Essenti al Skills: Reading Text, Document Use, Numeracy, Writi ng, Thinking Skills, Oral Communicati on, Conti nuous Learning, Working With Others, and Computer Use. TOWES assesses the fi rst three skills, which are oft en referred to as adult literacy skills.

Using TOWESTOWES assessments and training soluti ons have a broad range of applicati ons, including:

• assessing workers and potenti al workers for recruitment, selecti on and succession planning. • understanding individual strengths for career planning. • workplace-based Essenti al Skills training programs. • placement, measuring learning gains and determining work readiness in college or insti tuti onal training programs. • identi fying and providing remedial support for at-risk learners in Apprenti ceship or technical training. • prior learning recogniti on. • an alternati ve literacy assessment for new Canadians. • establishing training standards. • research.



TOWES OverviewUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/about-towes © 2012, TOWES, Bow Valley College

Selecting an AssessmentUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services © 2012, TOWES, Bow Valley College

Tips for Selecting a TOWES Assessment

Selecti ng the appropriate TOWES assessment will yield the results you are looking for. The following questi ons will help guide you through the selecti on process.

What is the purpose for testi ng?A fi rst step in selecti ng an assessment is to clearly establish the purpose for testi ng. Common reasons for testi ng include:

• identi fying skill gaps in preparati on for training. • measuring work readiness for a specifi c occupati on. • recruiti ng and selecti ng employees. • helping clients make career planning decisions. • measuring learning gains.

In general, for employment related testi ng the nati onal occupati onal standards found the Essenti al Skills Profi les provide a good indicati on of the level of assessment and version of the assessment that should be used. If the purpose for testi ng is related to training or career planning, a General Series assessment is oft en selected.

What are the skill level requirements?Selecti ng the appropriate level of assessment is crucial. Assessments that are too basic or too complex for their intended use will yield poor results and provide limited informati on.

For recruitment, work-readiness and other employment applicati ons, you should select an assessment that measures at the level required for successful employment. This informati on can be located in the Essenti al Skills Profi les, but in most cases, the Canadian labour market requires skills at Level 3 or higher.

For identi fying skill gaps, measuring learning gains and other training applicati ons, you should select an assessment that will diagnose individuals who are at-risk and may require additi onal support. Typically, individuals with skills at Level 3 or higher are successful in training so a Level 2/3 assessment will allow you to identi fy those who may need remedial interventi ons, and those who already have the skills needed.

Selecting an AssessmentUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services © 2012, TOWES, Bow Valley College

What is the predicted skill level of the test taker?Considerati on should be given to the anti cipated skill level(s) of a client or group fo clients, especially when working with low-skilled or high-skilled individuals.

• Individuals with low-skills will become easily discouraged when writi ng TOWES, regardless of the purpose for testi ng. In these instances it is appropriate to select a Level 1/2 test.

• Conversely, highly-skilled individuals will be moti vated to demonstrate their full range of abiliti es and should complete a Level 2/3 or Level 3/4 assessment.

Will test results be used for recruitment, selecti on or succession planning?Employment testi ng is considered high-stakes. In general, selecti on criteria are chosen based on bona fi de occupati onal or training requirements, and not on an arbitrarily selected skill level. In other words, the assessment used should refl ect the skills needed for work. The Essenti al Skills Profi les provide a good resource for informati on on the skill level requirements for over 200 Canadian occupati ons.

Is a specifi c result or general indicati on of skill needed?If the purpose of testi ng is to gain a general indicati on of a test taker's ability, select a version of TOWES that will provide you with a broad range of informati on. The most broadly-based version of TOWES is the G2 (level 2/3) because it is representati ve of several diff erent sectors and occupati ons. It will also allow for a wide range of test scores as it measures mid-range in the testi ng scale.

Will the test be administered to a diverse group of test takers?If the group of test takers is expected to have a range of skills and abiliti es, you may wish to select a version of TOWES that is appropriate for the largest number of individuals (if no other occupati onal or training requirements are a factor in testi ng). The General Series Level 2/3 is the most broadly-based version of TOWES.

Is the test group from a parti cular industry or sector?TOWES has developed fi ve sector-specifi c assessments for industries including manufacturing, aerospace, offi ce administrati on, health care and apprenti ceable trades. The assessments are constructed from workplace materials that are commonly used in these industries which lends face validity to the tools. The tools also target the skill level requirements for work in these industries and are based on a compilati on of several Occupati onal Profi les.



Sector Series AssessmentsUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services

© 2012, TOWES, Bow Valley College



eed distributors only.

Sector Series AssessmentsTOWES has a number of assessments for specifi c industries and occupati onal groups.

TOWES Manufacturing (MFG) - Available in English and FrenchThe MFG test measures skill levels 2 and 3 and is best suited for machine operators, assemblers, or workers in factories and machine shops. The assessment includes assembly drawings, schemati cs, safety manuals, and regulati ons.

TOWES Offi ce & Administrati on (ADM) - Available in English and FrenchThe ADM test measures skill levels 2 and 3 and is best suited for clerks, recepti onists, data entry personnel, and workers in business, non-profi t organizati ons and public insti tuti ons. The assessment includes manuals for offi ce equipment, memos and offi ce policies.

TOWES Entrance into Apprenti ceship (APR) - Available in English and FrenchTHE APR tests measures skill levels 2 and 3 and is best suited for pre-apprenti ces and apprenti ces in industrial trades. The assessment includes measurement and calculati on, work permits, schemati cs and codes. TOWES Aerospace (AER) - Available in EnglishThe AER test measures skills at levels 2 and 3 and is best suited for workers in aviati on services, maintenance and assembly. The assessment includes job procedures, MSDS and tooling references. This custom assessment was developed by the Manitoba Aerospace Human Resources Coordinati ng Committ ee who have granted public access to this tool.

TOWES Health Care (HCR) - Available in EnglishThe HCR test measures skills at levels 2 and 3 and is best suited for Licensed Practi cal Nurses, Care Att endants, Medical, Dental and Laboratory Technicians. The assessment includes blood pressure classifi cati ons, test requisiti on forms and specimen collecti on manuals.

Sector Series Assessments are available through authorized TOWES Distributors. For more informati on, or to fi nd a distributor near you, visit www.towes.com

General Series AssessmentsUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services




eed distributors only.

General Series AssessmentsTOWES is an eff ecti ve assessment that accurately measures three Essenti al Skills: Reading Text, Document Use, and Numeracy.

TOWES is diff erent from other assessments. Test takers must assume the role of a worker and use informati on from authenti c documents to solve workplace problems or complete tasks.

The General Series (or G Series) assessments apply to a variety of testi ng needs. They contain content that is relevant to all occupati ons such as safety bulleti ns, procedures, and schedules.

TOWES General 1 (G1) - Available in English and French

This assessment measures skills at levels 1 and 2. This entry-level assessment is ideal for clients with skill gaps or as a benchmarking tool for literacy remedial training programs.


This assessment measures skills at levels 2 and 3. This intermediate-level assessment is the most widely used version of TOWES and is ideal for entrance into training, employment or as a prior learning assessment.


This assessment measures Essenti al Skills at levels 3 and 4. This high-level assessment is oft en used for measuring the skills needed for trades and technical training or employment.

G Series Assessments are available through Authorized TOWES DistributorsFor more informati on, or to fi nd a distributor near you, visit www.towes.com

Custom AssessmentsUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services




yeed distributors only.

Custom AssessmentsTOWES Custom Assessments provide added validity and employee buy-in for corporate testi ng. Test results can be compared to local, regional or nati onal occupati onal standards.

TOWES collaborates with each employer to ensure their custom assessment best achieves their individualized testi ng requirements. We provide a full range of support services for recruitment, selecti on, succession planning, safety, workforce training and development.

Semi-Custom A semi-custom assessment includes the design and validati on of new problem sets specifi cally related to industry and employer requirements. New problem sets are incorporated into modifi ed versions of existi ng TOWES assessments that closely align with industry requirements. Client branding and custom reporti ng are also available.

Custom A custom assessment includes the design and validati on of an enti rely new assessment using employer or industry specifi c documents and acti viti es. Client branding and custom reporti ng are included.

TOWES has developed custom assessments for organizati ons like Suncor, Syncrude, Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council, Halifax Employers Associati on, Nova Scoti a Power and Manitoba Aerospace Human Resources Coordinati ng Committ ee

For more informati on about Custom Assessmentscontact TOWES (403) 410-3200, [email protected]

Sample Respirator Parts ProblemUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services © 2012, TOWES, Bow Valley College

Sample Respirator Parts Problem


Test of Workplace Essential Skills


Look at the tables and diagram from the air purifying respirator guide on the opposite page.

Painters wear respirators to fi lter out dangerous vapours and particles.

A painter needs a basic facepiece for a medium-sized 7700 series respirator. What is the catalog number for this part?

SampleQuestion

1

SampleQuestion

2

SampleQuestion

3

What is the catalog number and description of the 7700 series part shown below?

7700-11M

What is the catalog number and description of the part from the 7700 series mask which is shown below?

Catalog number Description

Catalog number Description

Example - Respirator Parts Problem


Figure 1.1


pirator Parts Problem

The Respirator Parts Problem, like most other TOWES problems, requires a number of Reading and Document Use skills. In this problem set, the test taker is asked to fi nd catalog numbers which are embedded in a four-column table.

The fi rst step in solving the three questi ons is to identi fy the task required. Aft er looking at the questi ons, the test taker is bett er able to frame the requested informati on (the answer to the questi on) in language that matches the given informati on (the questi on itself). The answer can be found on a page from a respirator parts manual, which shows an enlarged view of a respirator with the various parts numbered for reference. Above the picture of the respirator, two four-column tables relate the reference numbers in the illustrati on to catalog numbers and part descripti ons.

Questi on One asks for a catalog number of a named part. In terms of reading skills it asks the test taker to ‘scan’ the chart for the words: basic facepiece, medium, and 7700 series. As the search terms are in the exact language used in the chart, no inference is required. However, some understanding of row and column informati on is needed to extract the answer. Note that the task of fi nding the catalog number requires the test taker to search the fi nal descripti on list, which is actually ordered according to the number shown in the illustrati on. For the purpose of this questi on it is ordered randomly and presents a more diffi cult search task than if the list had been organized alphabeti cally.

Answer: 7700-11M

Questi on Two adds the requirement for visual discriminati on to the search task. It also asks the test taker to synthesize informati on from two source documents and two informati on formats (the enlarged view of the respirator and the four-column table above it). The test taker has to fi rst locate the pictured part in theillustrati on, then recycle the informati on as part of the given informati on for the next search. This search uses the numerically ordered list in the fi rst column of the table - an easier search task than scanning the randomly ordered list in the fi rst questi on.

Answer: 7700-16 (catalog number), Inhalati on connector (descripti on)

Questi on Three adds another level of diffi culty to questi on two. Unlike the inhalati on connector in questi on two, the cradle suspension system shown in questi on three has diff erent catalog numbers of the 5500 and 7700 models. The test taker has to select the correct sub-heading from the two possibiliti es nested under the Catalog Number heading.

Answer: 7700-92 (catalog number), Cradle suspension system (descripti on)

Regardless of the specifi c setti ng and workplace task presented, the skills demonstrated in this problem set are all transferable skills, which can be applied to other situati ons and other contexts. We may not all use respira-tors as part of our jobs, but we are all required to fi nd informati on contained in tables and charts. TOWES tests a wide range of applied Reading, Document Use and Numeracy skills required for safe and producti ve employment in all Canadian occupati ons.

Solving the Respirator Parts Problem

Individual Results Reports

Individual Results ReportUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services © 2012, TOWES, Bow Valley College

TOWES provides Individual Results Reports to each test taker. The report includes: a level score in Reading, Document Use and Numeracy; illustrati ve examples of a test taker’s skills and skills to build on; a list of Canadian occupati ons that match the test taker’s scores; general informati on on Essenti al Skills.

Group Results Reports



Group Results ReportUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services © 2012, TOWES, Bow Valley College

TOWES provides a Group Results Report to each Test Administrator. Group Results contain a detailed score breakdown for each test taker (level and raw scores).

Individual Results Reports


TOWES provides Individual Results Reports to each test taker. The report includes: a level score in Reading, Document Use and Numeracy; illustrati ve examples of a test taker’s skills and skills to build on; a list of Canadian occupati ons that match the test taker’s scores; general informati on on Essenti al Skills.

Group Results Reports



Group Results ReportUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services © 2012, TOWES, Bow Valley College

TOWES provides a Group Results Report to each Test Administrator. Group Results contain a detailed score breakdown for each test taker (level and raw scores).

Defi ning Literacy & ComplexityUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services

Defi ning Literacy & ComplexityResults from the Internati onal Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) redefi ned adult literacy as a range of ability, rather than a basic threshold (literate or illiterate). Most people are able to read - the questi on is how well are they able read and what they are able to do given their reading skills. Literacy encompasses more than just reading. Literacy is the ability to fi nd, use, and process informati on in prose, document, and quanti tati ve terms.

Literacy is measured on a conti nuum of profi ciency. The measurement scale has fi ve broad levels (level 1 to 5) that correspond to a range of raw scores (0 to 500).

There is also a relati onship between literacy levels and socioeconomic outcomes. At minimum, Canadians require skills at Level 3 to handle the demands of work and everyday life. Level 3 or higher is considered the “desired level” for safe and producti ve work in a knowledge-intensive society.

Notable Findings from IALS

Literacy gaps aff ect many adultsNati onally, almost half (48%) of adults have literacy skills below the desired level (Level 3).

Literacy is ti ed to economic successEconomic growth is closely related to nati onal literacy levels. Research suggests that a 1% rise in average literacy will yield a 1.5% permanent increase in GDP per capita and a 2.5% increase in labour producti vity.

Literacy is strongly correlated with life chances and use of opportuniti esEmployability, earnings potenti al, and life-long learning are strongly ti ed to literacy. Individuals with desired (level 3) levels of literacy are unemployed for shorter periods of ti me and earn higher salaries.

Literacy is not closely ti ed with educati onal att ainmentThe link between literacy and educati onal att ainment is not as clear as once imagined. For example, 22% of university graduates have low literacy skills. Immigrants in parti cular have poor literacy skills compared with their educati onal credenti als. Over 60% of new and established immigrants have literacy skills below Level 3.

Adults with low literacy levels may not recognize they have a problemMany Canadians who have literacy problems are able to read and parti cipate in the workforce. However, their low literacy skills make it diffi cult to learn new tasks and advance their career. Individuals with low literacy are much more likely to experience safety incidents at work and will fi nd it diffi cult adapti ng to workplace change.

Literacy skills are maintained through regular useWe lose literacy skills unless we engage in conti nuous learning. This learning can take place through formal channels, or through learning opportuniti es in the workplace.

Literacy levels of the Canadian populati on are remaining stati cTen years aft er the original IALS was completed, a follow-up study Internati onal Adult Literacy and Skills Survey (IALSS) measured the same prose, document and quanti tati ve variables as the original survey and compared profi ciency results over a period of ti me. Overall, there was litt le appreciable increase in literacy performance between 1994 and 2003.


Defi ning Literacy & ComplexityUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services


Complexity Levels



Level 1(0 - 225)

Level 2(226 - 275)

Level 3(276 - 325)

Level 4(326 - 375)

Level 5(376 - 500)

Levels Prose (Reading Text) Document Use Numeracy

1

read short text to locate a single piece of informati on which is identi cal to or synonymous with the informati on given in the directi ve; incorrect informati on present in the text tends not to be located near the correct informati on

locate a piece of informati on based on a literal match or enter informati on from personal knowledge onto a document; litt le, if any, distracti ng informati on is present

understand basic numerical ideas by completi ng simple tasks in familiar con-texts where the mathemati cal content is explicit; simple, one-step operati ons such as counti ng, sorti ng dates, performing simple arithmeti c operati ons

2

locate a single piece of informati on in text with several distracters or plausible but incorrect pieces of informati on; low-level inferences may be required; integrate two or more pieces of informati on or compare and contrast easily identi fi able informa-ti on based on a criterion in the directi ve

match a single piece of informati on with several distracters or match may require low-level inferences; cycle through informati on in adocument or integrate informati on from various parts of a document

understand basic mathemati cal concepts embedded in range of familiar contexts where the mathemati cal content is explicit and visual with few distracters; include one-step or two-step processes; esti ma-ti ons involving whole numbers, bench-mark percents and fracti ons, interpreti ng simple graphical or spati al representati ons, performing simple measurements

3

make literal or synonymous matches between informati on given in task, make matches that require low-level infer-ences; integrate informati on from dense or lengthy text that contains no organi-zati onal aids; generate response based on informati on easily identi fi ed in text; distracti ng informati on is present, but not located near the correct informati on.

integrate multi ple pieces of informati on from one or more documents; cycle through rather complex tables or graphs which contain informa-ti on that is irrelevant or inappropriate to the task

understand mathemati cal informati on represented in a range of diff erent forms (numbers, symbols, maps, graphs, texts, drawings); number and spati al sense,knowledge of mathemati cal patt erns andrelati onships; ability to interpretproporti ons, data and stati sti cs embedded in simple texts with possible distracters; involves a number of processes to solveproblems

4

perform multi ple-feature matches andintegrate or synthesize informati on fromcomplex or lengthy passages; complex inferences needed; conditi onalinformati on is present and must be taken into considerati on

perform multi ple-feature matches, cycle through documents and integrate informati on that requires a greater degree of inference; providenumerous responses but do not designate how many responses needed; conditi onal informa-ti on is present and must be taken into account

understand a broad range of mathemati calinformati on of a more abstract naturerepresented in diverse ways, including texts of increasing complexity or unfamiliarcontexts; multi ple steps to fi nd soluti ons and require complex reasoning andinterpretati on skills; working with propor-ti ons and formulas or off ering explanati ons for answers.

5

search for informati on in dense text which contains a number of distracters; make high-level inferences; use specialized background knowledge; contrast complex informati on

search through complex displays with multi pledistracters to make high-level text-based inferences and to use specialized knowledge

understand complex representati ons,abstract and formal mathemati cal andstati sti cal ideas embedded in complex texts; integrate multi ple types of mathemati calinformati on, draw inferences, or generatemathemati cal justi fi cati ons

TOWES Assessment ComparisonUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services



Assessment Comparison


Workplace Essential Skills Training Solutions Comparison


332 6 Avenue SE Calgary, Alberta T2S 4S6 p: 403.410.3200 f: 403.297.4070 [email protected] www.towes.com

Workplace Essential Skills Training Solutions ComparisonUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services

pp gg pp

345 6 Avenue SE Calgary, Alberta T2G 4V1 p:

ESL & Foundational Skills Training Solutions Comparison



ESL & Foundational Skills Training Solutions ComparisonUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services

ESSL & Foundational Skills Trainingggg Solutions Comppparisoon



d distributors only.

Essential Skills DirectUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services © 2012, TOWES, Bow Valley College

Essential Skills Direct (ESD)TOWES Essenti al Skills Direct (ESD) is a web-based Essenti al Skills curriculum that teaches Reading Text, Document Use and Numeracy using integrated lessons, acti viti es and practi ce assessments. Curriculum is sector specifi c and refl ects the type of tasks workers encounter on the job.

Essenti al Skills Direct (ESD) includes:

• 3 to 4 Acti vity Sets (Learner Workbooks) Provide learners with the opportunity to apply their skills while completi ng a series of typical on-the-job acti viti es.

• 18 Skill Builders (Short, Interacti ve Movies) Teach basic foundati onal strategies for using Essenti al Skills within the workplace.

• Practi ce Assessments Give learners the ability to measure progress.

Essenti al Skills Direct (ESD) off ers fl exible delivery opti ons. It may be completed online, or porti ons of the content may be downloaded and completed in hard-copy. Learners can work through the materials independently or in a blended environment with the support of a facilitator. Essenti al Skills Direct (ESD) contains approximately 25 hours of content.

VersionsEssenti al Skills Direct (ESD) is available for the following occupati ons and industries: • Automoti ve • Trades (Entrance to Apprenti ceship) • Health • Petroleum (Oil and Gas) • Practi cal Nurse

AudienceEssenti al Skills Direct (ESD) is best suited for Level 2 and Level 3 learners who are engaged in technical training or preparing for work. All curriculum content is occupati on and industry specifi c.

Essenti al Skills Direct (ESD) is available through Authorized TOWES DistributorsFor more informati on, or to fi nd a distributor near you, visit www.towes.com

A Day on the JobUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services © 2021, TOWES, Bow Valley College


A Day on the Job

A Day on the Job is a paper-based Essenti al Skills curriculum that teaches Reading Text, Document Use and Numeracy skills needed for successful training and employment in industrial trades. The content will help apprenti ces and pre-apprenti ces acquire and expand the skills they need for technical training and success at work.

A Day on the Job workbooks include:

• Comprehensive acti vity sets that replicate typical tasks a worker would be required to complete on the job.

• Skill Builders that reinforce the basic competencies needed for work, such as, measuring and esti mati ng, calculati ng area and perimeter, and using charts and graphs.

A Day on the Job can be completed independently by a learner, or used by trades instructors in the classroom. Approximately 30 hours of content is included.

VersionsA Day on the Job is available for the following occupati ons: • Carpenter • Electrician • Welder • Pipefi tt er

AudienceA Day on the Job is best suited to learners with skills at Level 2 or Level 3. All curriculum content is trade specifi c and is designed as supplementary material for pre-apprenti ceship and apprenti ceship training.

A Day on the Job is available through Authorized TOWES DistributorsFor more informati on, or to fi nd a distributor near you, visit www.towes.com



On Target!Updated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services © 2012, TOWES, Bow Valley College

On Target!On Target! is an instructi onal resource based upon the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) framework. On Target! allows ESL practi ti oners to informally assess Reading, Writi ng, Listening and Speaking. Results provide general informati on on learner progress. On Target! acti viti es may also be used as instructi onal material.

On Target! features:

• Informal assessment acti viti es using plain, simple language and visual supports. • Scoring criteria and answer keys, outlining steps to solving tasks.

VersionsOn Target! Stage I Is best suited for beginner ESL learners and aligns with CLB Levels 1-4. The materials represent language used in everyday encounters, such as coff ee shop conversati on. Approximately 20 hours of informal assessment and instructi onal content is included.

On Target! Stage IIIs best suited for intermediate ESL learners and aligns with CLB Levels 5-8. The materials represent language that is used in more complex daily encounters and at work. Approximately 35 hours of informal assessment and instructi onal content is included.

AudienceOn Target! is excellent support material for instructors and trainers delivering English as a second language training.

On Target! is available through Authorized TOWES DistributorsFor more informati on, or to fi nd a distributor near you, visit www.towes.com


Building Workplace Essential SkillsUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services © 2012, TOWES, Bow Valley College


Building Workplace Essential Skills (BWES)Building Workplace Essenti al Skills (BWES) is a comprehensive Essenti al Skills curriculum for Reading Text, Document Use and Numeracy. Lessons and acti viti es contain materials from a variety of frontline occupati ons in Canada.

Building Workplace Essenti al Skills (BWES) features:

• comprehensive acti vity sets using authenti c Canadian workplace materials. • Skill Builders that improve the foundati onal skills needed for work and life.

VersionsBuilding Workplace Essenti al Skills - Learner WorkbookPaper-based student workbook, containing approximately 30 hours of materials.

Building Workplace Essenti al Skills - Instructor GuidePaper-based instructor’s guide containing lesson overviews, classroom discussion questi ons, learning materials and answer keys.

AudienceBuilding Workplace Essenti al Skills (BWES) is best suited to learners with skills at Level 1 to Level 3. Content is relevant to many occupati ons and focuses on themes such as safety and ti me management. Curriculum is ideal for new Canadians or individuals who are new to the workforce.

Building Workplace Essenti al Skills (BWES) is available through Authorized TOWES Distributors

For more informati on, or to fi nd a distributor near you, visit www.towes.com


TOWES is the sole property of Bow Valley College and is sold through authorized distributors only.ed distributors only.

In FocusUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services © 2012, TOWES, Bow Valley College

In FocusIn Focus is paper-based curriculum and self assessment that introduces learners to the foundati onal skills needed for work, educati on and everyday life. While completi ng the materials, individuals will explore a range of topics that will guide them through their personal and professional development.

In Focus topics include:

• Personal self-awareness • Managing commitments and resources • Building relati onships • Accountability • Communicati on strategies • Learning opportuniti es • Personal coping mechanisms • Self-directed learning • Appearance and manner • Respect • Safety procedures and emergency response

VersionsIn Focus Learning ModulesLearning modules contain approximately 20 to 25 hours of materials that may be completed independently or as part of a group.

In Focus Facilitator GuideThe Facilitator Guide contains acti vity plans, along with informati on on support and additi onal resources.

AudienceIn Focus is best suited for low-level learners who face barriers at school, work or in their personal lives. The materials are intended as a supplemental classroom resource for instructors delivering basic educati on, work-readiness or other transiti on programs.

In Focus is available through Authorized TOWES DistributorsFor more informati on, or to fi nd a distributor near you, visit www.towes.com


Skills for Working, Learning and LivingUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services © 2012, TOWES, Bow Valley College


Skills for Working, Learning and Living (SWLL) Skills for Working, Learning and Living (SWLL) is a series of personal development acti viti es for adult learners. Acti viti es are designed to improve the basic workplace and life skills that are important for learning and labour market success.

Skills for Working, Learning and Living (SWLL) features:

• Personal Management (Self Development • Risk Management) Topics include ethics, accountability, growth, safety procedures, emergency response, identi fying risk, etc.

• Managing Transiti ons (Lifelong Learning • Adapti ng to Change • Career Development) Topics include self-directed learning, learning opportuniti es, managing change, getti ng support, life/work explorati on and career building, etc.

• Working with Others (Interpersonal Communicati on • Building Community • Teamwork) Topics include group dynamics, building relati onships, courtesy, respect, team expectati ons, taking leadership, parti cipati ng in a team, etc.

• Thinking Skills (Problem Solving / Decision Making • Finding Information • Creative Thinking) Topics include problem identification, making decisions, evaluating results, accessing and using information, developing ideas, etc.

SWLL includes 47 learning modules that may be completed as a comprehensive course, or integrated into existi ng programs (approximately 40-60 hours of materials). Learner modules and the instructor guide are available on CD-ROM.

Audience SWLL is best suited for adults entering into formal training or the workforce for the fi rst ti me. The materials are designed for learners who may be facing several barriers to success in school, work or life.

SWLL is available through Authorized TOWES DistributorsFor more informati on, or to fi nd a distributor near you, visit www.towes.com



The Winning LabelUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services © 2012, TOWES, Bow Valley College

The Winning LabelThe Winning Label is a Workplace Hazardous Materials Informati on System (WHMIS) training program for individuals with low literacy skills or English as a second language.

The Winning Label Includes:

• an 8 minute animated movie (DVD) on the WHMIS label safety system. The movie is presented using enti rely non-verbal animati ons to demonstrate the primary concepts of WHMIS.

• learner handouts that cover specific WHMIS topics. As with the movie, concepts are presented graphically, rather than with text.

• practice exercises and informal assessments that allow learners to test their knowledge.

The Winning Label Training Package The training package includes an 8 minute training movie (DVD) and a Facilitator Guide. Approximately 4 to 6 hours of content is included.

The Winning Label Learning PackageThe learning package contains learner handouts, practi ce exercises and assessments.

AudienceThe Winning Label is best suited for learners with low literacy skills or English as a second language.

The Winning Label is available through Authorized TOWES DistributorsFor more informati on, or to fi nd a distributor near you, visit www.towes.com


Essential Skills OnlineUpdated June 2012www.towes.com/en/products--services © 2012, TOWES, Bow Valley College



Essential Skills Online (ESO)

TOWES Essenti al Skills Online (ESO) is a web-based curriculum that teaches Reading Text, Document Use and Numeracy. ESO introduces learners to the Canadian workplace while they acquire the skills needed for successful employment.

Essenti al Skills Online (ESO) contains a series of instructi onal movies and interacti ve practi ce exercises that provide the learner with immediate feedback. Content is organized by skill area (Reading Text, Document Use, Numeracy) and becomes increasingly complex throughout the materials. Learners may work through the enti re content, or select only acti viti es that are relevant to them. Informal TOWES assessments and links to external resources help parti cipants connect with the labour market and over 200 front-line occupati ons in Canada.

Essenti al Skills Online (ESO) includes:

• 34 acti vity sets (lesson and practi ce exercises)

• 2 informal assessments

• Learner’s Guide

Essenti al Skills Online (ESO) may be used independently, or incorporated into existi ng programs guided by a Facilitator. Facilitators receive additi onal resources and a guide to using ESO with a group of learners. ESO contains approximately 35 to 40 hours of material.

AudienceEssenti al Skills Online (ESO) is best suited for individuals with skills at Level 1 to Level 3. ESO contains broadly-based content that is relevant to all frontline occupati ons. Course materials have been designed for English as a second language speakers and those who are new to work in Canada.

Essenti al Skills Online (ESO) is available through Authorized TOWES DistributorsFor more informati on, or to fi nd a distributor near you, visit www.towes.com