2004 News releases

New standard for improving safety and productivity in the workplace

September 28, 2004

Oshawa, Ont. - Durham College has shown its support for improving safety and productivity in the workplace by becoming one of 21 Ontario colleges that will deliver a new national standard for essential skills testing.

The Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES) is a major national initiative, developed to assess essential skills competencies in the areas of reading text, numeracy and document use.

TOWES compares an individual's skills against ratings developed by the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) and Human Resources Development Canada to identify areas of competency as well as areas needing further development. It will assist employers to increase workplace safety, improve quality and productivity, screen for skills in potential employees, and assist current employees in adapting quickly to new technologies.

For those who are interested in learning more about the program, an information session will be held in the Gordon Willey building of Durham College (Oshawa campus), Room I110 on October 5 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Twenty-one of Ontario's Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology and the College Sector for Adult Upgrading have partnered to deliver this test in Ontario, with funding from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. The new standard for essential skills testing was launched in Ontario on June 21, 2004.

About Durham College

For 37 years, Durham College has been committed to providing job-focused programs, accomplished professors, quality-driven innovation, student success and superior accountability. Almost 6,000 full-time students and 19,000 part-time students are enrolled at Durham College. For more information, visit our website at www.durhamcollege.ca, or call 905.721.2000.

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For more information, please contact:
Jan Lean
The Career Shop at Durham College
905.721.3089
jan.lean@durhamc.on.ca

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