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For Immediate Release

June 9, 2008

NEW TOWES STATUS FOR THE CENTRE

The Centre for Skills Development & Training is pleased to announce its new status as the first Third Party Test Site in Ontario to administer the Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES – rhymes with cows). TOWES assists people in determining whether they have the foundation skills required for success in training and job performance and points out where upgrading would be beneficial.

“It’s really helpful to find out ahead of time whether you’re ready to move into a new type of work,” says Jennifer Woodside, Coordinator of the Employment Counselling & Assessments program at The Centre, “It can save time and money, not to mention ego – no one wants to get into an apprenticeship or job, only then to realize they’re in over their head.”

TOWES uses authentic workplace documents to measure an individual’s abilities in three Essential Skill areas recognized as important skills in the Canadian workplace.

• 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, catalogues, maps, and scale drawings

• Numeracy Use -  the ability to understand and use numerical information embedded in print (e.g. numerical calculations, scheduling and measurements, money math, estimating)

Previously, TOWES has only been available through the Ontario college system for a fee. The Centre is the first non-college-based organization in Ontario to participate in specialized training to offer this nationally validated and recognized credential assessment at no cost to eligible clients. Through a partnership with Sheridan College and funding by Employment Ontario, The Centre has the opportunity to offer TOWES at its four sites in the Halton Region. This service is available to unemployed adults, to individuals working under 20 hours a week who are not full-time students, and to those who either have notice of imminent layoff or must leave their current occupation because of medical reasons.

Solid performance in a variety of jobs has been linked to specific TOWES scores. If an individual has the Essential Skills required in a particular occupation, s/he is more likely to succeed in training, perform workplace tasks safely and productively, and adapt to ongoing workplace change.

TOWES was developed jointly by SkillPlan and Bow Valley College. Bow Valley College is now the sole owner.

For more information on TOWES at The Centre, call 1-866-260-1175,
ext. 101.