Resources

Skills for Success in the Workplace: Retail Series

This series of Skills for Success Curriculum Resources can be used as a supplement to the “Retail Curriculum package” developed by Literacy Link Eastern Ontario (LLEO) and produced by Community Literacy of Ontario (CLO) in 2019. It is not an adaptation of that material but an addendum focusing on five newly identified Skills for Success competencies—Problem Solving, Adaptability, Creativity & Innovation, Collaboration, and Communication—as well as updates to the retail sector itself.

These resources are learner-based and activity-focused, moving the learner through on-the-job “scenarios” which they will have to respond to. In participating in the activities, the learner will gain an understanding of the workplace challenges that might require them to use a given competency and its associated strategies.

The series is divided into six sections that can be used separately or in tandem:

1. Skills for Success in the Workplace: Retail – Finding a Job

2. Skills for Success in the Workplace: Retail – Problem Solving

3. Skills for Success in the Workplace: Retail – Adaptability

4. Skills for Success in the Workplace: Retail – Creativity & Innovation

5. Skills for Success in the Workplace: Retail – Collaboration

6. Skills for Success in the Workplace: Retail – Communication

Each workbook is a fillable PDF.

Personality and Communication in the Workplace eLearning Module

This course explores the four main communication styles and various types of personalities. Examples are given of how to engage and collaborate with these differences in the workplace. Learners will learn how to become more assertive, which bird (D.O.P.E) personality is most like them, the benefits of optimism, the differences between extroverts and introverts and how to improve interactions in the workplace by avoiding communication barriers. 

Problem Solving and Decision Making in the Workplace- eLearning Module

This course includes an introduction to soft skills, explores different decision making strategies and how to solve problems in the workplace. The skills necessary for problem solving including self-confidence, resiliency, listening skills, flexibility, adaptability, and collaboration are discussed. Real world examples are introduced as practice for the information presented in this course. 

Online Version

Please click on the link below or copy and paste it into your address bar. 

When clicked, the link will direct you to an online course about decision making and problem solving. 

Follow the instructions in each lesson and complete the two review tasks at the end of the course. 

https://rise.articulate.com/share/r90-y43ogl7Lh7DPTuDyDJdqUY0LkmZD

There is also a PDF version of this course which can be downloaded below. Activities between courses vary.

Retail Math

This course has three sections, determined by OALCF level. Instructors wishing to show progress can guide each learner to complete each level. This course is modular and can be delivered/instructed in parts with only one section used, based on learner need and level. What areas of this course a learner completes is at the discretion of the instructor. 

Part 1 (OALCF level 1) of this course contains lessons on counting and making change, using a calculator, basic math operations, measuring time, and writing sums of money in decimal form. 

Part 2 (OALCF level 2) of this course contains lessons on rounding numbers, calculating work hours and pay stubs, understanding fractions, using percentages in the workplace, and calculating decimals. 

Part 3 (OALCF level 3) of this course contains lessons on averages, ratios, and using retail formulas. 

This course design provides learners entering the workplace with the math skills needed to work effectively but can also be useful to secondary school students entering co-operative placements, or learners looking to improve numeracy skills for independence.

Introduction to Frontline Leadership and Supervising Skills - eLearning Module

This course addresses leadership in employment areas such as manufacturing, retail, offices, and warehouses. The course introduces the 5 most common styles of leadership, along with information and tips on workplace ethics and behaviours, meetings and presentations, positive language, diplomacy and offering feedback. 

This course may introduce some unfamiliar terms and vocabulary to the learner, although each term is introduced and explained in this course, instructors may wish to review the course first to be sure that it suits the level of their learner - prior to instruction.

Please click on the link below or copy and paste it into your address bar. 

When clicked, the link will direct you to an online course about leadership and supervisory skills in the workplace. 

Follow the instructions in each lesson and complete the review task at the end of the course. 

https://rise.articulate.com/share/LWEZ5q9aF3JsfxuRMS6w8Y5fS1DfR8Bw

Volunteering

This course discusses the benefits of volunteering including skill building for employment through volunteer work. This course introduces the concept of civic responsibility, discusses types of volunteering, health and safety and rights for volunteers. Workplace expectations for volunteers is also explored in this course.

Get Set for Customer Service

This targeted training package includes all the materials you need to run a workshop series about budgeting, organization and time management. 

The package includes:

• Power Points
• Learner Plan Template
• Learner Assessment
• Learner Workbook
• Handouts and Activities

The training has been developed to be delivered over 10-11 sessions. Each session will take 1.5 - 2 hours.  Each session has a PowerPoint presentation. There is one learner workbook, which is used for all 10-11 sessions. The workbook can be printed, or distributed online as a fillable PDF. There are individual handouts in some of the sessions and an answer key for the workbook. In addition, there is a sample learner plan template with suggested milestones that can be used by Employment Ontario funded programs.

Note: This is a revised version of the program from 2018.

Get Set for Office Administration

This targeted training package includes all the materials you need to run a workshop series about budgeting, organization and time management. 

The package includes:

• Power Points
• Learner Plan Template
• Learner Assessment
• Learner Workbook
• Handouts and Activities

The training has been developed to be delivered over 12-13 sessions. Each session will take 2-3 hours.  Each session has a PowerPoint presentation. There is one learner workbook, which is used for all 12-13 sessions. The workbook can be printed, or distributed online as a fillable PDF. There are individual handouts and an answer key that applies to some sessions. In addition, there is a sample learner plan template with suggested milestones that can be used by Employment Ontario funded programs.

Workplace Literacy Organizational Needs Assessments (ONAs)

There are many ways to conduct an Organizational Needs Assessment (ONA). Perhaps the most important thing to understand when beginning the process is that it will not be linear. When building a relationship with employers there are many factors impacting their needs, including sudden changes to the business cycle. After all, for-profit industries and not-for-profits must respond to different changes in their environment. Understanding these differences when you enter the ONA process will serve you well.

This resource provides and overview of how to conduct an organization needs assessment to lay the foundation for workplace training.

This is one in a series of four connected resources:

• Marketing Workplace Literacy
• Workplace Literacy Organizational Needs Assessments (ONAs)
• Workplace Literacy Program Delivery
• Workplace Literacy Evaluation

Marketing Workplace Literacy

Ontario is experiencing a constricted labour market which means that there are more jobs available than people to fill them. As a result, employers are hiring individuals who have less than the desired level of skill and so are interested in potentially working with adult literacy agencies to address skills gaps.

Also, the nature of skills needed to perform effectively in the workplace have changed and continue to evolve. Continuous learning is becoming an expectation of, and an asset for, employees and job seekers alike.

As a result, adult literacy agencies are increasingly being drawn into the world of providing workplace literacy. This reality represents a change for many adult literacy agencies that, historically, have welcomed all individuals who came to them to seek service. Workplace literacy though often means that adult literacy agencies seek out partnerships with employers who see upgrading needs among their employees. Marketing to employers is very different than marketing to employment and social service agencies. We will explore some of these differences in this module.

This is one in a series of four connected resources:

• Marketing Workplace Literacy
• Workplace Literacy Organizational Needs Assessments (ONAs)
• Workplace Literacy Program Delivery
• Workplace Literacy Evaluation