Skills for Success are the nine foundation skills we need to succeed at work and in life.
These skills determine whether people complete training, secure employment, and adapt to changing workplaces. Yet many learners enter programs without the skills they need to succeed.
The Essential Skills Group provides validated assessments, customized learning supports, and reporting tools needed to measure these skills, strengthen them, and demonstrate real impact across the populations you serve.
Skills for Success
There are nine Skills for Success; reading, numeracy, digital skills, writing, listening, problem solving, creativity & innovation, collaboration, and adaptability.
These are the skills people need to:
- learn effectively
- work safely and productively
- adapt to change
- participate fully in the economy
They form the bridge between education, training, and real employment outcomes.
They are the clearest predictor of long-term success.
When skills are measured accurately, organizations can target support, strengthen results, and demonstrate real value to funders and communities.
Why these skills matter
When foundational skills are not measured, programs are forced to rely on guesswork.
Training may be delivered, but organizations cannot clearly see:
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who actually needs support
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whether skills are improving
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whether interventions are resulting in real outcomes
This leads to unfocused training, diluted resources, and reporting that shows activity instead of impact.
Skills we assess and develop
READING
The ability to understand reading materials in the form of sentences and paragraphs. We use this skill to scan information, skim for overall meaning, evaluate what we read and integrate information from multiple sources.
NUMERACY
The ability to use numbers and think in quantitative terms. We use this skill when doing numerical estimating, money math, scheduling and budgeting math and analyzing measurements or data.
COMMUNICATION
Speaking and listening – the ability to use speech to give and understand thoughts and information. We use this skill to greet people, take messages, reassure, persuade, seek information and resolve conflicts.
WRITING
The ability to write text and documents. We use this skill when we organize, record, document, provide information to persuade, request information from others and justify a request.
DIGITAL
The ability to use different kinds of computer applications and other related technical tools. We use this skill when we operate cash registers, use word processing software, send emails and create spreadsheets
PROBLEM SOLVING
The ability to engage in the process of evaluating ideas or information to reach a rational decision. We use this skill when we solve problems, make decisions, think critically, and plan and organize job tasks.
MECHANICAL APTITUDE
The ability to apply mechanical and physical principles to determine how objects work and move. We use this skill to understand how to use a jack to fix a flat tire or assemble a cardboard storage box.
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL
The ability to work with others (collaborate), overcome setbacks (adapt), and develop new ideas (be creative/innovate). We use these skills to work as a team, deal with change, and find solutions.